Labour has announced that they will deliver vital maintenance in hospitals to help prevent cancelled appointments and operations, with patients in Southampton set to benefit from the Government’s Plan for Change.
Across the country, over 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750million to tackle long-term problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues, helping to prevent thousands of cancelled operations and appointments.
Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton Test described the funding as ‘crucial and urgent’ and ‘another step in our promise to fix our public services which have been on their knees for far too long.’
The projects include much needed works at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, specifically the Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital, which will help patients benefit from better services and facilities across the health system. Up and down the country, fixing the backlog of maintenance at NHS hospitals will help prevent cancellations, with services disrupted over 4,000 times in 2023/24 due to issues with poor quality buildings.
The hospital funding package was confirmed in last year’s Autumn Budget, in which an extra £26billion was secured for the NHS by the Labour Government.
Satvir Kaur Labour MP for Southampton Test said: “This is very welcome news for patients. Concerns about the NHS and its future is one of the main things I hear on the doorstep. This is why I’ve been fighting hard to get this investment. I’m pleased Government continues to deliver on our promise to prioritise, invest and make our NHS something to be proud of once again. From reducing waiting lists, to more GP appointments, a lot has been done, but there’s still more to do.
“This Government has a 10-year plan to rebuild the NHS and I recently ran an NHS workshop where local people had their say on national policy. It was well received, and we got great feedback on what investment is needed locally. I’m pleased that some of this investment is coming to fruition.
Improving the NHS will always remain a priority for me, and I will continue to fight for it. If anyone has any concerns or views on how we can improve our NHS, please do contact me.”
Darren Paffey Labour MP for Southampton Itchen said: “This is really welcome news for everyone in the city and beyond who uses or works at Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital, and another significant step towards delivering on the promise we made before the election to create an NHS fit for the future. It will benefit patients and ensure that hardworking doctors, nurses and staff are supported to deliver the best care and patient experience possible.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:
“A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity.
“We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation.
“Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.”