New research reveals threefold increase in potholes across the NHS

Hancock must repair “dire” condition of the NHS Estate as new research reveals threefold increase in potholes across the NHS

Labour’s new research into the state of the NHS estate reveals that the number of potholes reported across the NHS increased threefold between 2010 and 2017.

The cost to the NHS of repairing potholes has soared by 35% since 2010, with the largest pothole measuring 7.5 metres in diameter.

In total, the NHS has spent over £2.5 million on repairing potholes since the Tories came into office.

Labour’s research provides further evidence of the crumbling nature of the NHS estate, which currently has a £5billion maintenance backlog following years of Tory cuts.

Responding to Labour’s new findings, Justin Madders MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, said:

“It’s all very well the new Health Secretary promising a technological revolution but the NHS has a £5 billion repair backlog, uses nearly 9,000 fax machines, is reliant on thousands of outdated pieces of equipment and as our research today reveals is spending millions repairing potholes because the NHS estate is so dire.

“The Tories failed to produce a capital investment plan for the NHS in their recent announcement.

“Only Labour will provide the NHS with a fully funded capital investment plan.”

Ends 

Notes to editors:

• 60 NHS Trusts responded to Labour’s Freedom of Information request asking for the number of potholes across their site since 2010, the repair bill since 2010 and the diameter of the largest pothole.

Between 2010 and 2018 (YTD), 1469 potholes have been reported across NHS Trusts in England:

• The number of potholes reported across the NHS increased by 188% between 2010 and 2017, reaching a record high of 230 in 2017.
• So far this year already 185 potholes have been reported across NHS Trusts in England.

The cost to the NHS of potholes has soared by 35% since the Tories came into power:

• Since the Tories came into office potholes have cost the NHS at least £2,602,964.
• The cost to the NHS of potholes has increased from £260,958 in 2010/11 to £353,008 in 2017/18, an increase of almost £100,000.

• The record amount spent by a single Trust in one year on potholes was £53,046 in 2016/17 by Royal Devon and Exeter NHS foundation Trust. 
• This was followed by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, which spent £47,940 in 2017/18.

The largest pothole in the NHS is currently a staggering 7.5 metres in diameter at Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:

Trusts with the largest potholes:

In some cases, potholes within NHS Trusts have directly caused thousands of pounds worth of damage:

• In 2011/12, potholes at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust caused £9,050 worth of damage.
• In 2012/13, potholes at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation caused £4,857 worth of damage.