The cracks are literally starting to show as official figures state that the NHS has a whopping, record-breaking backlog of necessary repairs totalling some £6billion.
Reports indicate that an unacceptable number of Trusts are considered to be at risk of significant disruption to services, and even total failure. The impact of this on patient care is critically obvious, but the welfare of staff and visitors is also in jeopardy when the structural integrity of the hospital estate and its facilities is being seriously compromised by inadequate repairs and renewals.
Much is reported about the Government’s windfall payment to the NHS, but necessary repairs must come above any other investment. If the building and facilities are not fit for purpose, then the quality of care is being undermined too.
