NHS estates failing on fire safety, asbestos and hazardous waste - report

Nearly half of the backlog maintenance costs of NHS estates in Wales are for urgent and significant repairs, a new report shows.

The repairs backlog is £460m, with urgent repairs at £209m.

The Estate and Performance Report 2009/2010 shows that no new health trusts in Wales reached operationally safe levels or complied with statutory and safety regulations last year.

It shows two health trusts failing to meet fire safety regulations set for 2005 and 2008, none meeting the 2008 target for statutory and safety regulations on DDA, asbestos, legionella and hazardous waste, or for getting 90% of the health estate in a 'sound, operationally safe and exhibit only minor deterioration' standard.

The report was labelled “deeply worrying” by Welsh Lib Dem shadow health minister, Veronica German, who said: “This report also causes great concern as it reveals that nearly half of the backlog of repairs pose a high or significant risk to patients and staff.

”It is equally worrying that none of the health trusts met the targets to meet statutory regulations regarding Disability Discrimination Act, Control of legionella and Health and Safety at Work. I don't think that it's acceptable that doctors and nurses have to work in buildings that would have to close if they were nightclubs.”