Reading Liberal Democrats Condemn Government's Delays in Rebuilding Royal Berkshire Hospital

The Reading Liberal Democrats have expressed deep frustration over the government's protracted timeline for the much-needed rebuilding of the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Despite previous commitments, the project has faced continuous delays, exacerbating the strain on local healthcare services and impacting patient care.

Recent reports indicate that the hospital's redevelopment, initially slated to commence in 2024, has been postponed yet again, with no definitive start date in sight. This postponement comes at a time when NHS waiting lists in Reading for basic diagnostic tests, including MRI and CT scans, have grown by 26% between June 2019 and July 2023, reaching 6,855.

James Moore, Councillor for Tilehurst and leader of the Liberal Democrats on Reading Borough Council, said:

"The government's repeated delays in initiating the Royal Berkshire Hospital's rebuild are unacceptable. Our community deserves timely access to modern healthcare facilities. These postponements not only undermine public trust but also jeopardise the health and well-being of Reading residents."

The Reading Liberal Democrats are calling for immediate action and transparency from the government regarding the hospital's redevelopment timeline. They urge local MPs to hold the government accountable and prioritise the health needs of the community.

Meri O’Connell, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tilehurst, added:

"It's disheartening to see Reading’s MPs fail to support motions in Parliament that would address the healthcare crisis. The state of local healthcare is dire, and the continuous delays in the hospital's rebuild only exacerbate the situation. We need our representatives in Reading to follow the example of Wokingham MP Clive Jones, who seizes every opportunity to push for improvements to the NHS and especially the Royal Berkshire Hospital. His first official letter as an MP was to Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for the urgent rebuild of the RBH, while he used his maiden speech in the House of Commons to raise the issue again."

The Reading Liberal Democrats remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for improved healthcare services and holding the government accountable for its obligations to the community.