The chief executives of two crumbling Norfolk hospital have welcomed confirmation that their rebuilds will definitely go ahead.

Doubt was cast over the rebuilding of the Queen Elizabeth (QEH) in King's Lynn and the James Paget in Gorleston after the new Labour government announced it would be reviewing the new hospital programme it inherited from the Conservatives.

However, health secretary Wes Streeting has announced that neither would be included in the review, meaning the desperately-needed schemes will still go ahead.

(Image: QEH)

Alice Webster, chief executive of the King's Lynn-based hospital has welcomed the announcement.

She said: "This is fantastic news for our patients, our community and our staff.

"We know just how much the QEH means to the surrounding community and this announcement will be welcomed by all those connected with the hospital.

“We now look forward to pressing ahead with our new hospital plans. There is still a thorough process to go through, but we are all committed to delivering a new hospital on this site in 2030.

“The new QEH will feature modern construction methods and healthcare innovations to meet the needs of the local population for generations to come.”

(Image: James Paget University Hospital) Jo Segasby, chief executive of the James Paget, added: “This announcement is a further step forward for our hospital, and for people living towards the east of Norfolk and Waveney, confirming that we will have a new hospital for our communities, and the patients of the future.”

“It also provides reassurance that we have long-term plans to address the RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) construction issues that our estates team have worked tirelessly to make safe across our current site, and allow services to continue while planning and construction of our new hospital takes place.”

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney added that the development was "really welcome news".