Tom Gordon MP Welcomes Fire Safety Funding for Harrogate Hospital – But Highlights More Investment Still Needed

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has welcomed a £2.1 million investment in Harrogate District Hospital to carry out essential fire safety works, but has warned that it does not go far enough to reverse years of Conservative underfunding of the NHS.

The Department of Health and Social Care recently confirmed the funding, which will be used for critical infrastructure improvements, with a focus on fire prevention as part of the hospital’s backlog maintenance.

Commenting, Tom said:

“I’m pleased that this long-overdue investment is finally coming through to support urgent fire safety upgrades at Harrogate Hospital.

“But let’s be clear, this doesn’t undo the damage caused by years of chronic underfunding of our NHS by this Conservative Government. 

“Hospitals up and down the country are struggling with ageing buildings and growing maintenance backlogs because the Conservatives have failed to invest.”

Since before his election, Tom has been campaigning for fairer NHS funding for the Harrogate area—including pressing the Government to support the removal of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from the hospital. While some progress has been made, the Trust is still awaiting approval for the remaining multi-million-pound funding required to fully eliminate RAAC from its buildings.

“The hospital still needs substantial further investment to deal with RAAC,” Tom added.

“I’ve been clear since day one: our NHS needs proper, long-term investment so that staff can deliver the care patients deserve in modern, suitable facilities. I will continue to fight for the funding Harrogate Hospital needs to be fit for the future.”

This funding follows other capital projects already underway at Harrogate Hospital, including the development of new theatres and imaging facilities, which are being funded through a separate scheme.

ENDS