The government has announced that many hospitals, mental health
units and ambulance sites will be given £750million to tackle
long term problems such as leaky pipes and poor ventilation.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:
“Trusts welcome this urgently needed boost. We are pleased that
the extra money will include support for mental health and
ambulance sectors which have often been overlooked.
“However, an eye-watering near £14billion is needed just to patch
up buildings and equipment which are in a very bad way right
across hospital, mental health, community health and ambulance
services. Mental health services alone have a £1billion-plus
backlog. Vital bits of the NHS are literally falling apart after
years of underinvestment nationally.
“Ministers should rethink rigid rules on capital investment in
the NHS so that more trusts and services can tackle the huge
logjam of essential repairs. Next month's government spending
review is a prime opportunity to make this much needed and long
overdue change.
“Safety of patients and staff is at risk.
“Capital investment in the NHS - crucial to improving
productivity - needs urgent reform. We must pursue new and
different sources of investment to fund NHS buildings, equipment
and technology to make them fit for the future and transform
care.”
- In a recent NHS Providers survey more than eight in ten
trusts (84 per cent) showed some level of concern about a
shortage of money to invest in capital projects to benefit
patients and staff
