Following a relentless campaign from Rebecca Smith MP, the Health Secretary has announced that Derriford Hospital’s new Urgent and Emergency Care (A&E) Facility will be on the list of wave one buildings to begin construction between 2025 and 2030.
The Chancellor threw the future of Derriford's new A&E into doubt with the announcement of the New Hospital Programme Review last July. Patients across South West Devon and the wider Southwest have been deeply concerned by this move, writing directly to Rebecca Smith MP. A decision has now been made.
Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, stated:
“I am pleased after playing politics with our NHS for 6 months, the Government has finally relented and agreed to honour its manifesto commitment to fund Derriford’s new A&E. I have campaigned relentlessly to save the project since elected; this is a huge win for Plymouth and the surrounding area.
“We cannot tackle NHS wait times without first getting a grip on the queue of ambulances outside of Derriford’s A&E. It never should have been delayed in the first place, and I urge the Government to now work at pace to make up for lost time.
“I would like to thank the almost 1,000 locals that signed my petition to pressure the Government into making the right call. It is only with your support that I have been able to demonstrate the strength of feeling locally and make the strongest possible case to government.”
Last October, Rebecca tabled a petition to protect A&E funding at Derriford Hospital in the House of Commons. In a written letter, the Minister of State for Secondary Care Karin Smyth responded that the Government “understands the importance” of the investment and reiterated its commitment to delivering the New Hospital Programme. It also details that Derriford received £25.2m in 2023/24, committed by the last Conservative Government.
The South West Devon MP has continued to lobby government on the issue. On Monday, 6th January 2025, Rebecca piled pressure on the Government to fully fund Derriford Hospital’s new A&E. No detail was provided in the Health Secretary’s statement at the dispatch box. Rebecca quizzed the Health Secretary on when an update would be provided – we now know the answer.
