The Conservative MP for Fareham, Suella Braverman, today (Wednesday) told BBC’s Politics Live that a new hospital was being built on the Isle of Wight.
Ms Braveman was being interviewed following last night’s debate between Johnson and Corbyn and the claims and counterclaims that were made.
Braverman: “Spades will be hitting the ground”
Examining the Conservative claim of new hospitals, Ms Braverman told Jo Coburn there would be 40 new hospitals by the end of the next decade.
She added,
“The way they are built has been phased. There six hospital that are going to be commenced in their construction immediately. For example, I am here in Fareham, my constituency – not far from us, on the Isle of Wight is an example of where spades will be hitting the ground for one of those new hospitals.”
Fact check reveals the six locations
The BBC then went to reporter Hannah Wilkinson to fact check this. She said the Government had publicly announced new hospitals in Leeds; Harlow; Leicester; Watford and two in London to be delivered by 2025.
OnTheWight has contacted Suella Braverman’s Association office in an attempt to get more details. As yet, no reply – but we’ll update as soon as we hear back.
Pugh: Clear .. referring to £48 million capital investment
David Pugh, the agent for Bob Seely, told OnTheWight,
“It is clear that Suella was referring to the fact that the Isle of Wight is benefitting from a £48 million capital investment, as announced in the summer.
“The Island is the only NHS Trust in the whole of the South East to have secured funding as part of this announcement. We look forward to seeing this investment getting underway.”
According to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, the £48m investment announced earlier this year will be for “building and IT improvements“.
Quigley: Tories cutting funds for St Mary’s for years
Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate, Richard Quigley, told OnTheWight,
“Obviously this would come as something of a surprise to all of us, given that the Tories have been cutting funds for St Mary’s for years, and moving services to the mainland. If true then of course I’d be as delighted as anyone else.
“If not true, then perhaps Bob might explain why one of his colleagues lied about it on TV.”
Pitcher: Conservatives over-selling
Independent candidate, Daryll Pitcher, told OnTheWight,
“This is another example of the Conservatives over-selling something, much like Boris’s withdrawal deal which is not Brexit more like Associate EU Membership.”
Lowthion: Shows little attention paid to Island
The Green Party candidate Vix Lowthion, told OnTheWight,
“Sadly it does not look like the government has any plans to build a new hospital on the Island – it appears Ms Braverman misspoke.
“Inaccurate comments like this from a known Conservative candidate show how little attention the national Conservative Party pay to the situation on the Isle of Wight.
“The main political parties have failed Islanders for too many years. We need to elect a new MP who can challenge the two party system, and fight for meaningful funding for our public NHS.”
Feeney: Rather a new hospital, let us create a fixed link
Independent, Carl Feeney, told OnTheWight,
“The Isle of Wight hospital is closing its departments, getting smaller. Very few qualified staff want to work and live on a disconnected island that isolates them from family and friends. If no staff, there is no hospital.
“So what is the point in building a new hospital? We already have one… we just need the skilled staff.
“Clearly this is an election ruse intended to manipulate, but is even more bizarre than normal. We need staff, not a new hospital. Years of Jeremy Hunt disregarding the fair requests for decent treatment of doctors has decimated the vocation.
“Rather than building a new hospital, let us fund bursaries to train nurses and doctors. Let us create a fixed link to the mainland so that staff and resource sharing with mainland hospitals is possible … and so that patients requiring specialist care, can get there easily, quickly and affordably, visitors too.
“Bob Seely has cynically been promising all sorts of things for two and a half years, of which in my view nothing materialised. Don’t expect this to be any more realistic. It’s simply electioneering.”
OnTheWight has written to all IW candidates and will add their comment when we hear back.
Watch the interview on BBC iPlayer (skip to 14.50).
Article edits
15.58: Comment from Daryll Pitcher added
16.15: Comment from Vix Lowthion added
17.48: Comment from Carl Feeney added
