The repair backlog for Scotland’s aging hospitals has soared to £900 million, prompting fears that patient safety could be put at risk in many facilities, according to an article on the Scotsman website.
"Patients cannot be treated in buildings that are falling to pieces. It’s important the SNP turns its mind to tackling this issue urgently," said Donald Cameron, Tory health spokesman.
NHS Scotland has now earmarked £180m of sell-offs of old hospitals and medical facilities over the next five years to help deal with the problem.
The Annual State of NHS Scotland Assets and Facilities Report for 2015 states: “Although backlog is identified as an expenditure requirement, in practice it is likely to be addressed by a combination of estate rationalization and disposal of older properties, avoiding the need for expenditure on backlog."
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