The Health Secretary has announced an allocation of £600 million to upgrade and refurbish hospitals across England, as part of the Government’s plans to help the NHS build back better after coronavirus.
The Conservative Government were elected at last year’s election in order to deliver on the priorities of the British people, like investing in the NHS and transforming our country for the better.
Rebecca Harris MP is pleased that the Government is delivering on these priorities by providing an allocation of £600 million to tackle critical maintenance work in hospitals across the country, including: building new or refurbishing buildings to deliver key services, refurbishing wards, installing brand-new electrics, upgrading ventilation systems, works to improve fire safety and replacing hospital lifts. In total, almost 1,800 projects across 178 trusts will benefit, with work completed by March 2021.
These crucial projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to patients, helping our NHS to build back better after the pandemic.
Locally, Rebecca is delighted that the Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been allocated 29 upgrade and refurbishment projects worth £7,400,000 of investment – which will see local constituents in Castle Point benefit directly.
To view the full list of funding allocated to NHS trusts to upgrade and refurbish hospitals, please visit: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/942862/Funding_allocated_to_NHS_trusts_to_upgrade_and_refurbish_hospitals.pdf.
The investment is part of £1.5 billion capital funding which was announced in the summer to build an NHS it for the future, which also includes plans to modernise mental health facilities, expand A&E capacity and improve infection control ahead of winter.
Today’s announcement is on top of an additional £450 million investment from the 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.
Commenting, Rebecca Harris MP said:
“I am delighted that Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will benefit from Government funding to carry out vital maintenance work over the coming months.
“These crucial projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to patients, helping our NHS to build back better after the
pandemic.”
Delivering on the NHS
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 Conservatives’ 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.
Future Investment
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.
Rebecca is also please that the Treasury have 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.
