Seven RAAC schemes have been included in the first wave of the programme with production scheduled to start between 2025 and 2029.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said there would be ‘no slowdown' on its new £1-1.5bn Leighton Hospital which is expected to begin construction between 2027 and 2028.

Russ Favager, the trust's board senior responsible officer for Leighton New Hospital Programme and Estates Redevelopment, said: ‘This statement from the secretary of state is positive news for our plans.  

‘While the Government has given an expected construction start date of 2027-2028, we are pushing ahead for a start on site of around early 2027.'

The £1-1.5bn West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds is also slated to begin construction between 2027 and 2028.

Dr Ewen Cameron, our chief executive said: ‘The trust welcomes the Government's announcement to continue to prioritise the replacement of RAAC hospitals, such as West Suffolk Hospital, as well as the confirmation of a broad budget and construction start date, following completion of the New Hospital Programme review

‘This is good news for our patients, staff and communities in and around west Suffolk. We continue to progress our plans to deliver a replacement West Suffolk Hospital on the adjacent Hardwick Manor site in Bury St Edmunds. We are pleased that our plans align with the estimates provided by the Department of Health and Social Care and, working closely with the Government's New Hospital Programme team, we will continue to ensure the project is completed in the most effective way.'