Maintenance backlog at NHS

Majority of work‘significant or‘high risk’

The majority of maintenance backlog at NHS Tayside hospitals is classed as “significant” or “high risk”.

According to a new report released earlier this week by the Scottish Government, 74 per cent of the health board’s backlog of maintenance works is significant or high risk.

This backlog will cost £224 per square metre to repair.

These maintenance works are across NHS Tayside’s 24 hospitals, including nine in Perth and Kinross such as Perth Royal Infirmary.

The report also highlighted that around 14 per cent of the health board’s assets are not “fully utilised”.

However, one per cent of its assets are also overcrowded.

The health board only achieved a 24 per cent compliance rating for the statutory compliance audit and risk tool (SCART).

It is unclear how much of the backlog relates to facilities in Perth and Kinross, but a spokesperson for NHS Tayside told the PA the majority of the high risk backlog cost was due to electrical work at Ninewells.

They added: “NHS Tayside remains committed to providing high quality accommodation and assets that support the provision of clinical services to the population of Tayside.

“The 2017 state of NHS Scotland assets and facilities report highlights that the condition and use of NHS Tayside properties are satisfactory and remain above the NHS Scotland average, however, significant investment is still required to ensure that these conditions are maintained.

“Backlog maintenance costs for NHS Scotland rose slightly in 2017, including the effect of inflation on the figures.

“NHS Tayside has reported high risk backlog maintenance costs that reflect the age of properties and the necessary investment required to maintain the properties in a satisfactory condition.

The spokesperson continued: “Key performance indicators in the report emphasise good performance in the delivery of support services, particularly catering, property maintenance, energy, laundry and linen, and waste management.

“The first year of the energy contract with The Carbon Energy Fund and Vital Energi has delivered substantial energy consumption reductions and the identification of further saving opportunities are being investigated.

“Future clinical service needs will be defined by the implementation of the national clinical strategy and health and social care delivery plan.

“To ensure assets and facilities investment are aligned to these strategies and plans, three regional groups in Scotland have been formed to look at local, regional and national service reform and infrastructure investment needs to create a new, long term vision for NHS Scotland.

“NHS Tayside, as part of the north region, has participated in the development of the first regional asset management plan for the north region and will continue to work with local, regional and national partners whenever possible to provide efficient, effective and fit for purpose assets and facilities.”

Key indicators in the report emphasise good performance