The modernisation of the Hinchingbrooke Hospital site “is going to be absolutely essential” to meet the area's future needs, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough says.  

Dr Nik Johnson is also a consultant pediatrician at the hospital, which the health secretary confirmed will be rebuilt by 2030.  

Speaking shortly after the news was announced, Dr Johnson said: “I’m absolutely delighted this investment is going into Hinchingbrooke. 

“A fully-functioning and modern district general hospital model is needed to serve Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire.  

“We have the benefits of a university hospital in Cambridge; we have the benefits of Peterborough’s hospital serving the north of the county.  

“But there’s a huge amount of growth planned within the local area, and that will potentially add pressure on healthcare and other services such as education. 

“So we will need a fully-functioning modern facility to care for all the community – from the young right through to the old."

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In a statement to Parliament, health secretary Steve Barclay said on Thursday (May 25) the government remained committed to the 40 new hospitals pledged by Boris Johnson in 2019.  

He then added that five hospitals, including Hinchingbrooke, will also be included in the programme and rebuilt by 2030.  

These were built from so-called RAAC reinforced concrete planks, which have now come to the end of their operational life.  

At Hinchingbrooke, work is ongoing to reinforce the roof and the site’s modernisation is already underway with the new theatre complex.  

Dr Johnson has worked at Hinchingbrooke Hospital since 2006. 

He said: “The staff and the management team have been working for many years in very difficult conditions – and I'm delighted they have this really positive news about the plan to rebuild.     

“For me, it’s very much a positive news story and tantamount to the campaigning and the support of the local community of Huntingdon and Huntingdonshire. 

“They wanted a hospital, they wanted to save the hospital and now we seeing genuine investment being secured for the future.  

“I’m looking forward to seeing out the final parts of my career at the hospital.”