Welcome cash boost but NHS-wide capital rules rethink required

The government has announced that many hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be given £750million to tackle long term problems such as leaky pipes and poor ventilation.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"Trusts welcome this urgently needed boost. We are pleased that the extra money will include support for mental health and ambulance sectors which have often been overlooked.

"However, an eye-watering near £14billion is needed just to patch up buildings and equipment which are in a very bad way right across hospital, mental health, community health and ambulance services. Mental health services alone have a £1billion-plus backlog. Vital bits of the NHS are literally falling apart after years of underinvestment nationally.

"Ministers should rethink rigid rules on capital investment in the NHS so that more trusts and services can tackle the huge logjam of essential repairs. Next month’s government spending review is a prime opportunity to make this much needed and long overdue change. 

“Safety of patients and staff is at risk. Capital investment in the NHS - crucial to improving productivity - needs urgent reform. We must pursue new and different sources of investment to fund NHS buildings, equipment and technology to make them fit for the future and transform care."

In a recent NHS Providers survey more than eight in ten trusts (84%) showed some level of concern about a shortage of money to invest in capital projects to benefit patients and staff