Hospital maintenance levels on the decline, says minister

Maintenance standards are falling dangerously low across the country's hospitals, according to shadow health secretary for the Liberal Democrats Evan Harris.

Latest figures show that 10% of all patient areas are unsafe due to poor maintenance and do not comply with legal health and safety and fire regulations.

Areas of neglect include poor maintenance on doors, walls, flooring and electrical systems.

In one hospital in particular, workers erected a tarpaulin to cover a hole in the roof to protect patients from the elements.

Harris told CJ that the maintenance backlog for hospitals was now on the increase at £3.4bn compared with £2.8bn when Labour came to power in 1997.

The total cost to improve the situation and make hospital standards legal will cost an extra £582m.

Regionally, Herefordshire and Worcestershire were the worst offenders with 40% of maintenance below compliance.

In the North and Eastern region it was 13%. The best performing area was the North at 8%.

"These figures are horrifying," said Harris. "Years of cuts have led to appalling conditions in Britain's hospitals. Crumbling buildings mean that many areas are now considered unsafe. The repair bill is astronomical."

Harris has now submitted a written question to the House of Commons for a reply on the situation.