MSP slams maintenance backlog facing NHS

A Lanarkshire MSP has highlighted the spiralling costs facing the NHS across the region in tackling maintenance backlogs.

Freedom of Information requests from the Conservatives found that the total maintenance backlog bill across Scotland’s 14 health boards is over £1.5bn.

In Lanarkshire the maintenance work required now stands at just over £51m, which has risen from £42.8m in 2017/18. Central Scotland list MSP Meghan Gallacher has described the figures as “jawdropping” and further evidence of the SNP’s “shocking failure” to give NHS Lanarkshire the resources they require.

Ms Gallacher, who is calling for SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to be sacked, says the costs of backlogged maintenance work cannot be allowed to spiral any further out of control.

She said: “These figures are absolutely jaw-dropping and barely believable. It is completely unacceptable that the bill for backlogged maintenance works has spiralled to £51 million in NHS Lanarkshire.

“It is further shocking evidence of the SNP’s failure to deliver the resources NHS Lanarkshire require. Far too many crucial sites in NHS Lanarkshire have been allowed to fall into disrepair.

“Services in NHS Lanarkshire are under huge financial strain and this maintenance bill only adds to the pressures they are facing. It is yet another example of how Humza Yousaf has completely let down NHS Lanarkshire and why he must be sacked before this bill increases even further.”

The FOI request also revealed that some of the backlog work has been outstanding in Lanarkshire since 2008.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are fully supportive of the need to properly maintain and invest in our existing estate and are doubling annual funding for maintenance.

“We will invest over £1bn in enhancing or refurbishing existing health facilities, and updating and modernising medical equipment that is essential for delivering high quality medical services.”