The Government has announced allocations of £600 million to tackle critical maintenance work in hospitals across England. High Peak MP Robert Largan has welcomed this new funding for refurbished wards, brand new electrics and upgraded ventilation systems, benefitting hospital staff, patients and visitors in local hospitals.
This includes 7 projects in Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, and 14 projects in Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, each receiving, respectively, £4,832,000 and £1,382,000 to carry out the work. The work will be completed by March 2021.
For Stepping Hill Hospital, this includes a new build facility to provide two additional scanners, refurbishment of the Maternity 3rd Floor Birthing Rooms, and additional works such as re-wiring, additional ventilation, re-roofing, fire alarm upgrades, and removal of asbestos.
Tameside Hospital will benefit from vital improvements to key facilities, such as re-roofing the Ladysmith Building, replacing the ventilation system for Hartshead North, and refurbishing the lift system for the Charlesworth Building.
Funding will also be provided for 10 projects in Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, and 2 projects in Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, including £20,000 for an upgrade project at Buxton Health Centre.
The money is part of the £1.5 billion announced by the Government in the summer to level up hospital infrastructure across the NHS. While £600 million will be spent on these critical maintenance upgrades, the remainder will be spent on modernising mental health facilities, expanding A&E capacity, and improving infection control ahead of winter.
Since August last year, the Government has confirmed £850 million to upgrade 20 hospitals and £3.7 billion to help deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030. Last month’s Spending Review announced a dedicated £1.2 billion for NHS new hospitals in 2021/22.
Good progress has also been made on the pledge of 50,000 more nurses by 2025 with the latest statistics showing there are already 14,800 more nurses in the NHS than a year ago.
Robert Largan MP commented:
“I am delighted that Stepping Hill Hospital, Tameside Hospital, and local health services across Derbyshire will benefit from Government funding to carry out vital maintenance work over the coming months. I have been campaigning hard for these improvements since being elected last year.
“These crucial projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to patients from High Peak.”
The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, commented:
“Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better.
“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.”
