Investment In 40 Hospitals Welcome But ‘Just The Start’

Responding to the Prime Minister‘s announcement of the 40 hospitals that will be built by 2030 as part of the package worth £3.7 billion of extra capital investment for the NHS, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“This money will be welcome news for the NHS, which badly needs more capital funding for new buildings, but while a sizeable amount, it is just the start of what will truly allow hard-working frontline staff to be able to provide the best care possible for patients in the years to come.

“NHS leaders tell us consistently that crumbling buildings and inadequate equipment are holding their staff back; this was felt before the pandemic struck and created monumental and unexpected challenges for our health and care system.

“In a recent survey, almost three in four NHS leaders told us that they did not have enough capital funding to upgrade their existing buildings, IT and other infrastructure to deliver services in new ways. Also fewer than one in ten NHS leaders told us the current funding allows them to deliver safe and effective services.

“As we strive to reset the NHS following the experiences of the first stage of the pandemic, teams across healthcare need to see longer term plans for investment in all facilities and technology, as well as in the education of the staff who use them and care for our patients.

“Fifteen years of under-investment in the health of our nation is slowly – too slowly – being addressed and our colleagues in social care will also look forward to similar plans for their services where the lack of political attention is starker and the need arguably greater.”