MP candidate says 'no excuses' over failure to replace crumbling hospital sooner

The government has "no excuses" for failing to replace one of Norfolk's crumbling hospitals sooner despite knowing for decades when the building would need replacing, an MP candidate has said.

Michael de Whalley, the Green Party MP hopeful standing in North West Norfolk, has said the lack of action to deliver a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has been one of the key concerns for voters.

The facility, built in 1980, was given a shelf-life of 2010 and has been held up by supports for years due to the risk of the roof collapsing.

Michael de Whalley, Green Party candidate for North West Norfolk (Image: Newsquest)

Mr de Whalley, who is also a West Norfolk Council cabinet member, said: "The state of the QEH is symptomatic of the failure to invest in our services.

"It is totally unacceptable that a hospital should be propped up with 4,000 props. Staff are wondering how it will function for the next five years. They knew the lifetime of the building when it was built. There are no excuses."

Mr de Whalley, who has a long history of campaigning for environmental causes, such as efforts to stop incinerators being built in King's Lynn and Wisbech, thinks more taxation is needed to improve public services in the county.

"If you have low taxes then you can not spend money on providing services for people. We need appropriate taxation to effectively run them and this is what we aim to do."

READ MORE: Next Labour government commits to QEH rebuild

The Queen Elisabeth Hospital is being held up with 4,000 props (Image: Chris Bishop)

The former IT consultant, who represents the villages of Gayton and Grimston, has also been left frustrated at the problems with sewage these communities have faced.

"We heard stories of a woman having to use a commode because her toilet was backed up.

"This is where climate change is affecting people's lives. Our infrastructure is so old it can't cope."

Mr de Whalley is running against Tim Leaver for the Labour Party, James Wild for the Conservatives, Rob Colwell for the Liberal Democrats and Phil Walton for Reform.