NHS Gets £750m Boost to Fix Crumbling Buildings
- England's National Health Service will receive a £750 million boost to address long-standing maintenance issues,the Department of health and Social Care announced.
- More than £100 million is earmarked for maternity units, specifically to upgrade ventilation in neonatal intensive care units.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that poor building quality disrupted hospital services more than 4,000 times in the past year.
NHS England Gets £750M to Tackle Maintenance Backlog
Updated May 31,2025
England’s National Health Service will receive a £750 million boost to address long-standing maintenance issues,the Department of health and Social Care announced. The funding aims to prevent disruptions caused by failing infrastructure, targeting hospitals, mental health facilities, and ambulance services. The investment in NHS infrastructure will address issues ranging from leaky pipes to faulty electrical systems.
More than £100 million is earmarked for maternity units, specifically to upgrade ventilation in neonatal intensive care units. This aims to improve conditions for vulnerable infants and their families. However, healthcare leaders caution that this cash injection is a fraction of the £14 billion needed to fully address the NHS maintenance backlog.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that poor building quality disrupted hospital services more than 4,000 times in the past year. He cited examples of burst pipes flooding emergency rooms and electrical failures shutting down operating theaters. A recent survey also revealed problems with pests, leaks, and broken facilities.
Simon Corben, director for NHS estates and facilities at NHS England, said fixing the maintenance backlog will help prevent cancellations.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, welcomed the funding, especially for mental health and ambulance services.However, he noted the massive £14 billion needed for repairs, with mental health services alone facing a backlog exceeding £1 billion.
“With the NHS maintenance backlog currently standing at £13.8 billion, this really is just a drop in the ocean,” said Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Matthew taylor,chief executive of the NHS Confederation,called the boost a “small down payment,” estimating it would take almost 20 years to clear the backlog at the current funding rate. Healthcare leaders are advocating for new investment models, potentially involving the private sector, to accelerate progress.
What’s next
The DHSC anticipates projects will be delivered during the 2025-2026 financial year, with upgrades beginning this summer. The focus remains on ensuring safe and efficient healthcare environments across England.