The MP for Tiverton and Honiton Richard Foord challenged the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Questions over the Conservative's flagship 40 new hospital pledge. 

Many of the pledged new hospitals - 11 of which are in the South West - are in reality still without planning permission.

Mr Foord asked the Prime Minister when the West Country would see progress on the new hospitals. He said to the PM: "Eleven of the government's promised 40 new hospitals that my right honourable friend mentioned are in the South West.

"Yet those surrounding my constituency - in Barnstaple, Dorchester, and Taunton - still don't have planning permission. It is reported that staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital have been told that their town "would not get a hospital" and that it was a "bare-faced lie". Given that the Prime Minister claims his mandate rests on a manifesto that promised 40 new hospitals, when will we see them?"

Over shouts and jeers, Rishi Sunak responded to say the Conservative government 'remains committed' to the 40 hospital pledge, and that eight of the eleven hospitals do have planning permission.

Richard Foord said: "People across the West Country feel let down by the dire state of our local health services. It's clear that we need change and fast.

"For too long towns and villages across our region have been taken for granted; ambulance crews are stretched to breaking point, local GPs and dentists are under immense pressure, and A&E waiting times are leaving patients waiting hours for urgent care.

"The Conservatives have let the NHS crisis spiral out of control, failing to deliver the new hospitals they promised and making people wait hours for an ambulance or months for urgent cancer treatment.

"The Prime Minister can claim he is delivering, but the proof is in the pudding and local people can see the lack of progress on these supposed 'new' hospitals.

"I will continue to hold this Government to account over their promises to our communities and won't rest until our NHS gets the resources and modern facilities it needs."   

You can view the Prime Minister's Question Time exchange here (Mr Foord speaks at 12.25:55)