The government has published details of the NHS Trusts and projects that will receive a share of £600m to tackle critical maintenance work. The allocation is part of the £1.5 billion of capital funding announced in summer to help the NHS ‘build back better’.
In total, 178 Trusts and almost 1,800 maintenance projects are named in the list. The projects are underway and will be completed by March 2021.
Projects include:
• £15.9 million for a new critical care centre at Northampton General Hospital
• £3.3 million to Croydon Health Services NHS Trust for a new paediatric integrated unit
• £6.5 million for the construction of a new MRI building at St George’s Hospital in London to house a new scanner
• £2.7 million to refurbish Firth Theatres at the Northern General Hospital, which includes critical care, cardiovascular surgery and other surgical wards.
The government’s plans to “build an NHS fit for the future” also include modernising mental health facilities, expanding A&E capacity and improving infection control ahead of winter.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock says: “These crucial maintenance projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to their patients this winter, helping ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”
Today’s announcement is on top of an additional £450 million investment from government to improve hospital A&Es this winter by expanding waiting areas and increasing the number of treatment cubicles, helping to boost A&E capacity by providing additional space, reducing overcrowding and improving infection control measures.
Following last month’s Spending Review, £1.2 billion has been ring-fenced for NHS new hospitals and upgrades in 2021/22, plus £4.2 billion for NHS operational capital funding.
The Treasury has also committed an additional £235 million for further hospital maintenance works for the next financial year beginning in April 2021. There will be a further boost for technology and digital projects including AI labs and remote GP appointments, diagnostic equipment and a science hub.
In the latest ERIC figures (2018-19) backlog maintenance at NHS Trusts across England stood at £6.5 billion.
