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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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NHS repair backlog rises to over £500 million
December 21, 2009 12:00 AM
The annual report by Welsh Health Estates has shown that the repair backlog on the NHS estate has increased to over £500 million, including increases in the backlog of high risk and significant risk repairs required and an increase in the cost of complying with the Firecode, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have uncovered.
The report, entitled the "Estate Condition and Performance Report 2008/09" shows increases in the cost of almost all categories of repairs required. The total backlog of maintenance costs rose from £468.2 million in 2007/08 to £505.2 million in 2008/09. While maintenance reductions of £23 million were achieved in 43 NHS sites, increases totalling £63 million occurred in 68 sites. The new figure also includes almost £15 million in maintenance required to Welsh Ambulance Service Trust's estate, not included in last years report.
The report shows:
A total backlog of repairs of £505.2 million.
An increase of £7.6 million in 'high risk' maintenance backlog, to £82.2 million.
An increase of £27.3 million in 'significant risk' maintenance backlog, to £159 million
An increase of £32 million in the 'risk adjusted backlog' to £258.5 million.
A slight decrease in the cost of making the NHS compliant with disability discrimination laws, but that this would still cost £18.9 million.
An increase of £1 million in the cost of complying with Firecode, to £12 million.
CO2 emissions have risen 2,283 tonnes from 114,962 tonnes to 117,245.
In January last year, the Welsh Liberal Democrats submitted a debate to the National Assembly on the repairs backlog (which then stood at £468.2 million). The Minister for Health said that "the matter is not a cause for alarm" and the Plaid Cymru Health Spokesperson called the debate "utterly pointless". Both Plaid Cymru and Labour voted against the Welsh Liberal Democrat motion, which called on the government to bring forward a plan on how to bring the estate up to standard.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister, Peter Black said:
"A year ago, we realised the situation was dire and called on the government to take action. The Minister made it clear that this was not a priority and, as a result of her inaction, the situation is now even worse."
"Statistics released since the debate last year have shown that in the last three years 20,000 staff have been injured in the NHS, and that poor infrastructure has been the cause of 13 patient deaths. If the Minister does not think that this is a cause for alarm, I don't know what is!"
"Politicians always say that our NHS staff are important, yet Plaid and Labour have failed to back this up with action where it is needed. Allowing our Doctors and Nurses to work in hospitals that would be closed if they were nightclubs is not good enough."
"The report states that there is a total of £241 million 'high and significant risk' maintenance backlog which should be 'addressed at the earliest possible opportunity'. But the Government have refused to even bring forward a plan on how this will be achieved!"
"The Minister also claimed that the situation would be improved by NHS re-organisation, but it is not clear how when re-organisation has released no extra money, made no savings and the same buildings are still fulfilling the same use by the same people. This report already shows re-organisation has made no progress on improving the estate and the Minister can no longer hide behind re-organisation as a catch all solution."
"The fact is that the years of plenty are behind us and budgets are becoming tighter and tighter. Simply telling the Health Boards to address the backlog is no longer enough and there has to be a Welsh Assembly Government plan of how to improve the estate to protect both staff and patients. The Government must bring this forward in the New Year and can expect some very tough questions from us if they fail patients and staff once again."
ENDS
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