Warning over poor health of NHS property

Hospital buildings in a ‘dreadful’ state

SCOTLAND’S health chiefs are facing a £900million bill to repair or replace more than a quarter of NHS buildings.

Growing concerns over the physical condition of hospitals were highlighted yesterday in a report revealing the ‘dreadful state’ of the NHS estate in Scotland.

The report also highlighted how some areas are being ‘left far behind’, with their health boards facing a rise in the number of buildings ranked ‘unsatisfactory’.

It examined the condition of NHS assets – including buildings, vehicles and equipment – across the country in 2017.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘Right across Scotland, there are NHS buildings that are still in a dreadful state and need work.

‘The recent and dangerous issues with the new Glasgow hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children have cast uncertainty over the safety and maintenance of even the newest buildings.’

Overall, the report showed the number of properties classed as being in a ‘good physical condition’ had increased slightly, with the proportion of category A and B buildings rising from 70 per cent in 2016 to 72 per cent last year.

In Orkney, however, 75 per cent of properties were classed as category C, meaning they require investment to improve their physical condition. And in NHS Highland, almost one in ten were given the lowest D rating, meaning they are unsatisfactory and require major investment or replacement.

Across Scotland, 3 per cent of health board buildings require major investment. The overall backlog will cost £899million.

In the next five years, health boards plan to spend £3.34billion improving and replacing.

The report stated: ‘While major parts of this programme of investments are subject to funding availability and approval, it does represent a significant opportunity to further improve the condition and performance of these assets, and enable the disposal of older properties, which are expected to generate receipts of over £160million.’

The NHS in Scotland has 202 hospitals across the country, 22 per cent of which are at least 50 years old.

Scottish Labour health spokesman Monica Lennon, said: ‘It is clear some parts of the country are being left far behind.

‘Some of Scotland’s largest health boards have had almost half of their properties classed as not in a good condition. That’s simply not good enough for staff and patients. Hundreds of millions of pounds worth of repairs are needed to get our NHS fit for the future.’

Last night, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ‘This report finds that there is a high level of satisfaction with the hospital environment, with most NHS buildings in a good condition, and that boards are making steady progress in reducing the level of backlog maintenance across their estates.’

‘Simply not good enough’