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NHS buildings' £500m repair bill NHS buildings' £500m repair bill
(about 2 hours later)
NHS buildings in Wales are in need of almost £500m worth of repairs, the assembly government has been told.NHS buildings in Wales are in need of almost £500m worth of repairs, the assembly government has been told.
Almost half of the cash is needed for essential, high risk work. Five building management targets had also not been met, a report shows.Almost half of the cash is needed for essential, high risk work. Five building management targets had also not been met, a report shows.
Compiled by Welsh Health Estates, the report calls for a "radical modernisation programme" and says surplus buildings should be sold off.Compiled by Welsh Health Estates, the report calls for a "radical modernisation programme" and says surplus buildings should be sold off.
The assembly government said it spent £300m per year on NHS estates in Wales.The assembly government said it spent £300m per year on NHS estates in Wales.
Welsh Health Estates informs ministers on how NHS trusts are managing their buildings and land every year.Welsh Health Estates informs ministers on how NHS trusts are managing their buildings and land every year.
The latest report feeds back on five building management targets set down for 2008 by the assembly government six years ago.The latest report feeds back on five building management targets set down for 2008 by the assembly government six years ago.
In the report, Welsh Health Estates said there had been improvements but overall all five of the targets had not been met.In the report, Welsh Health Estates said there had been improvements but overall all five of the targets had not been met.
NHS trusts in Wales were supposed to bring 90% of their properties up to standard but overall this figure was missed by 16%. Only three individual trusts met that target.NHS trusts in Wales were supposed to bring 90% of their properties up to standard but overall this figure was missed by 16%. Only three individual trusts met that target.
They were also supposed to reach a 90% target for meeting legal and safety requirements. But despite the majority of trusts meeting that target, the figure for Wales was 82%.They were also supposed to reach a 90% target for meeting legal and safety requirements. But despite the majority of trusts meeting that target, the figure for Wales was 82%.
Targets were also missed on how trusts used their buildings.Targets were also missed on how trusts used their buildings.
Backlog I'm extremely worried because the effects of having poorly maintained buildings really affects the patients Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader
The report found there was a backlog of repairs totalling £468m, which is £12m less than last year.The report found there was a backlog of repairs totalling £468m, which is £12m less than last year.
Though repair work had been done, it had been off-set by a further deterioration in buildings, the report said.Though repair work had been done, it had been off-set by a further deterioration in buildings, the report said.
Around £226m is described as needed for high or significant risk work and the remainder is moderate or low risk.Around £226m is described as needed for high or significant risk work and the remainder is moderate or low risk.
For example, work on an air duct into an operating theatre may be regarded as high risk, while work on an outbuilding which is used for storage may be low risk.For example, work on an air duct into an operating theatre may be regarded as high risk, while work on an outbuilding which is used for storage may be low risk.
The report said almost £100m could be taken off the backlog repair bill by getting rid of buildings that have already been designated as surplus to requirements.The report said almost £100m could be taken off the backlog repair bill by getting rid of buildings that have already been designated as surplus to requirements.
But reducing that backlog further could only be achieved with more investment from ministers, the report said.But reducing that backlog further could only be achieved with more investment from ministers, the report said.
The assembly government gave £32m worth of extra funding to trusts to be spent on high or significant risk repairs over the last two years.The assembly government gave £32m worth of extra funding to trusts to be spent on high or significant risk repairs over the last two years.
Assembly debate
But this only tackled some of the problems while other buildings deteriorated, said the report.But this only tackled some of the problems while other buildings deteriorated, said the report.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats said it would be challenging ministers on the report's findings in an assembly debate on Wednesday.The Welsh Liberal Democrats said it would be challenging ministers on the report's findings in an assembly debate on Wednesday.
The party said the assembly government failed to tackle the problem when there was record investment in the NHS.The party said the assembly government failed to tackle the problem when there was record investment in the NHS.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: "I'm extremely worried because the effects of having poorly maintained buildings really affects the patients that are treated in those buildings and the staff that have to work in them.
"The backlog is huge. It includes some very important, serious issues around fire safety and accessibility issues for disabled people.
"What we have seen is the Welsh Assembly Government fail to meet its own targets with regard to fire safety, fail to meet its own targets with regard to health and safety within some of their buildings and they knew that this was happening."
A spokeswoman for the assembly government said: "The minister will make a statement during the debate."A spokeswoman for the assembly government said: "The minister will make a statement during the debate."