£81m payout promised to North West hospitals in bid to end NHS backlog

£81m will go to hospitals across the North West

Some 27 Trusts across the North West, including Preston and Blackpool, are set to receive a total of £81m from a £600m fund to eradicate the NHS’ growing backlog.

The critical upgrade fund forms part of the £1.5 billion capital funding announced by the Prime Minister in the summer.

Almost 1,800 projects across 178 trusts nationwide will tackle urgent maintenance issues by March 2021.

Health Secretary Matt 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.”

Blackpool Victoria Hospital will receive £1.9m for 10 different projects.

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton said: ““I am delighted that Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will benefit from Government funding to carry out vital maintenance work over the coming months.

“These crucial projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to patients, helping our NHS to build back better after the pandemic.”

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has been allocated £2.2m for eight different projects, and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been allocated £4.2m for nine projects.

Other investments in the North West include £3.1 million for key infrastructure at Cobbett House, including the replacement of living zone, at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, £1.1 million for CT development at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, and £1.3 million for replacement of building management system at Leighton Hospital in Cheshire.