NHS maintenance backlog hits £300m in the South East

2.43.00pm GMT Mon 5th Jan 2009

It will cost £300m to bring NHS buildings in the South East to an operationally safe level, Government figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats have revealed. That figure hits £4bn nationally.

The costs, which have increased by 40% under Labour, were uncovered by Liberal Democrat MP, Paul Burstow in a Parliamentary Question.

Commenting, Paul Burstow said:

"These figures lift the lid on Labour's failed stewardship of the NHS.

"Over the last eleven years huge sums have been poured into new prestige projects while existing NHS buildings have been allowed to fall into disrepair.

"Hard-pressed NHS staff are working in poorly maintained hospital buildings because ministers are more interested in cutting ribbons. Small scale projects and investment in existing NHS property needs to be given a higher priority."

Maidstone parliamentary campaigner, Peter Carroll said:

"It is a disgrace that after nearly 11 years of a Labour Government the backlog of repairs for our local hospitals continues to increase. The Government should look at it's priorities."