Wigan's hospitals to get £1.5m boost for maintenance work

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced NHS hospital staff, patients and visitors across the country will benefit from refurbished wards, new electrics and upgraded ventilation systems by next spring.

The funding has been released to 178 NHS trusts to cover almost 1,800 maintenance projects. The North West has been allocated £81m for 397 maintenance projects across 27 trusts.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the borough's hospitals, will receive £1,515,000 to spend on 25 projects.

Nationwide, investment will be targeted towards a range of projects, including new or refurbished buildings to deliver key services; upgrades to electrical infrastructure; improvements to ventilation systems; works to improve fire safety; and replacing hospital lifts.

The investment is part of £1.5 billion capital funding announced in the summer, which includes plans to modernise mental health facilities, expand A&E capacity and improve infection control ahead of winter.

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.”

Trusts were provided an initial allocation based on need and were asked to put forward suitable projects that would deliver maximum impact and the best value for money, and could be completed by March.

The announcement is on top of a £450m investment from the Government to improve hospital A&Es this winter by expanding waiting areas and increasing the number of treatment cubicles, helping to boost A&E capacity by providing additional space, reducing overcrowding and improving infection control measures.

The Government has confirmed a series of major investments in NHS infrastructure since August last year, including £850m to upgrade 20 hospitals and £3.7 billion to help deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.

Following last month’s Spending Review, £1.2 billion has been ring-fenced for new hospitals and upgrades in 2021/22, plus £4.2 billion for NHS operational capital funding.

The Treasury has also committed an additional £235m for further hospital maintenance works for the next financial year, beginning in April. There will be a further boost for technology and digital projects including AI labs and remote GP appointments, diagnostic equipment and a science hub.

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