That this House expresses concern about the growing maintenance backlog across NHS estates in England, which in 2023-24 was estimated to cost £13.8 billion to eradicate; notes that of this, £7.6 billion relates to high and significant risk repairs that could directly impact the safety of patients and staff; further expresses concern that at hospital trusts located in Essex, the cost to eradicate high and significant risk stands at £45.2 million; further notes that 14,596 hours of clinical time were lost country-wide due to estate and infrastructure failures, most of which were deemed most clinically impactful, referring to disruption that led to lost time or cancelled procedures; recognises that this level of disrepair threatens the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare, contributes to inefficiency and places additional strain on NHS staff; and calls on the Government to bring forward a fully funded plan to tackle the backlog in NHS hospitals, prioritise investment in critical repairs and maintenance, and ensure that no patient or staff member is put at risk by deteriorating hospital buildings.
