The local MP for Kingswood, Chris Skidmore MP, has welcomed the announcement that staff, patients and visitors at NHS hospitals across our local area will benefit from new or upgraded facilities and other significant improvements by the spring.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has announced today that the government is investing £600million to tackle crucial maintenance work in hospitals across England.
The South West region has been allocated £45.8million of this for 199 maintenance projects across 21 Trusts, with the four trusts based across Bristol and South Gloucestershire having been awarded over £6.7 million for 35 projects.
This includes £3.6million for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and £1.5million for North Bristol NHS Trust, which will go towards replacement theatres at Southmead Hospital.
Two other important trusts that provide vital services that span Bristol, South Gloucestershire and other counties have also secured funding, with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust securing £925,000 for eight projects and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust being awarded £750,000 for nine projects.
Work on these projects is under way and they will be completed by March 2021.They include new or refurbished buildings to deliver key services, replacing hospital lifts, upgrading electrical infrastructure, work to improve fire safety and enhancing ventilation systems.
The investment is part of £1.5billion announced by the Prime Minister in the summer to level up hospital infrastructure across the NHS. This includes plans to modernise mental health facilities, expand A&E capacity and improve infection control ahead of winter.
Since August last year, the government has confirmed £850million to upgrade 20 hospitals and £3.7billion to help deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030. Last month’s Spending Review confirmed a dedicated £1.2billion for new NHS hospitals in 2021/22.
Chris Skidmore said of the news: “As the local MP I have long campaigned for further investment in our healthcare facilities and I am therefore delighted to see the Government delivering on its promise to invest in our local NHS hospitals so that our local Trusts can carry out vital maintenance work over the coming months”.
Mr Hancock said: “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.”
