'They are operating in conditions which frankly have no place in modern society'
by Declan Carey · Manchester Evening NewsRepair costs at Stepping Hill Hospital have soared to more than £130 million as officials warn the "aged and deteriorating" buildings are continuing to get worse.
The Stockport hospital has faced major problems over the past year due to its worsening condition, with reports of collapsing ceilings and flooded corridors in its buildings. Its Outpatients B department was forced to close last November due to concerns over the safety fears, and a new survey has shown the problems are not going away.
The report on the condition of the hospital estate found that nearly 70 percent of facilities are in category C and D - sites in need of major repairs within 12 months to three years. This has increased from around 55pc of the hospital in 2021.
Stepping Hill Hospital first opened in 1905, employing more than 6,000 staff and seeing half a million patients each year. During a meeting at the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust board on October 3, an official said a total sum of £134 million is needed just to keep the hospital at an "acceptable standard."
They added: "We have got an increasing problem with the condition of our hospital estate here at Stepping Hill.
"We are in an extremely challenging financial situation across the NHS, it is of concern that we have such a significant level of backlog maintenance required that at this moment in time we are simply unable to meet."
A previous survey in 2021 put the repairs backlog at around £89m, but this has since "materially increased" without a major cash injection to get on top of the issues at the hospital.
While the hospital buildings are in need of work, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust reported last month that it is facing a financial deficit of more than £7m by the end of the year, with a cost improvement plan put in place.
The state of the hospital has sparked alarm at Stockport council, where members recently urged the government to take "urgent" action to address the problems at the borough's hospital.
A report from the town hall shared this week stated that the conditions at Stepping Hill are 'reducing the hospital’s ability to effectively serve local residents.' These issues have come about due to 'decades of insufficient funding,' it went on to explain.
'Conditions have no place in modern society'
Council leader Mark Hunter said there are "extensive problems" at the hospital despite the "excellent service and care" from staff at the site.
He added: "They are operating in conditions which frankly have no place in modern society, and that's before we come on to the conditions that patients are expected to endure while they're in Stepping Hill."
Coun Angie Clark said she needed a hospital visit around six weeks ago but "begged to be taken to Wythenshawe Hospital," instead because of the conditions there.
As well as funds for Stepping Hill, councillors have called for a new hospital facility based in Stockport town centre. In 2021, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Stockport council shared plans for a new site based at the town's former Debenhams store.
A bid was made to fund this work from a £3.7-billion programme for 40 new hospitals by 2030 under the former Conservative government - but Stepping Hill did not make the list. In July this year, the government told the Manchester Evening News that it would commit to providing investment for Stepping Hill and other hospitals around the country.
The Department of Health and Social Care was asked on October 3 to provide an update on how much money Stepping Hill would receive, and when that would be made available.
A government spokesperson said: "We have inherited a broken NHS, with many hospitals like Stepping Hill in a state of disrepair, meaning patients have not been able to access the care they so desperately need.
"Repairing and rebuilding our crumbling hospital estate is a vital part of our ambition to create an NHS that is fit for the future through our ten-year health plan. We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve."