Tackling the NHS Maintenance Crisis

The National Audit Office’s report on public service facilities looks at the critical £49 billion NHS maintenance backlog and the urgent need to modernise aging public sector infrastructure

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on National Audit Office

At the start of this year, the National Audit Office (NAO) released alarming statistics revealing that the NHS maintenance backlog has reached a staggering £49 billion. This places NHS properties alongside schools and Ministry of Defence (MOD) properties as the primary contributors to the growing maintenance backlog across public sector facilities.

Under Investment and Escalating Costs

Over the past decade, the maintenance backlog has increased at an average rate of £800 million annually. The findings underscore a concerning trend of steadily rising maintenance needs, fuelled by decades of underinvestment, escalating costs and the continued use of buildings that have surpassed their intended operational lifespans.

The NAO report, titled “Maintaining Public Services Facilities”, published in January, highlights the pressing consequences of poor property conditions. Substandard facilities negatively impact the delivery of essential public services, hinder productivity within the public sector and contribute to challenges in staff recruitment and retention.

Report Recommendations

The report offers recommendations aimed at addressing these issues, starting with the need for a standardised definition of the maintenance backlog and improvements in the quality and consistency of data collected about these properties. By creating a more comprehensive understanding of the backlog, policymakers can develop more effective long-term property plans that prioritise the most critical areas for investment.

For NHS practice managers grappling with outdated, deteriorating buildings, the report provides a glimmer of hope. It calls on the government to take decisive action in addressing this growing problem and to allocate the necessary resources to modernise public sector facilities. The report also serves as both a validation of the challenges they face and a call to action for systemic change.

For practice managers looking to gain deeper insights into the big-picture issues surrounding the NHS maintenance backlog and public sector infrastructure challenges, the full “Maintaining Public Services Facilities” report by the National Audit Office is available to read online.