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NHS estate 'needs major upgrade' NHS estate 'needs major upgrade'
(about 10 hours later)
About a third of the NHS estate may require "major upgrading" work in the coming years, public spending watchdogs have warned.About a third of the NHS estate may require "major upgrading" work in the coming years, public spending watchdogs have warned.
Audit Scotland examined the way the health service managed its £5bn worth of assets - including buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment.Audit Scotland examined the way the health service managed its £5bn worth of assets - including buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment.
The NHS owns about 1,800 properties and 2,900 hectares of land across Scotland.The NHS owns about 1,800 properties and 2,900 hectares of land across Scotland.
But the report highlighted a lack of information about the condition of the NHS estate.But the report highlighted a lack of information about the condition of the NHS estate.
It also revealed not all NHS bodies had clear links between their clinical strategies and their asset management strategies.It also revealed not all NHS bodies had clear links between their clinical strategies and their asset management strategies.
Most of the assets the NHS owned were either land or buildings, with these making up £4bn of the total value in 2007-8, the report said.Most of the assets the NHS owned were either land or buildings, with these making up £4bn of the total value in 2007-8, the report said.
There is no complete picture of the quality of the NHS estate in Scotland Audit Scotland reportThere is no complete picture of the quality of the NHS estate in Scotland Audit Scotland report
But it pointed out that more than two thirds of the NHS owned estate - excluding projects funded through a public-private partnership (PPP) - was built before 1980 and 11% was built before 1900.But it pointed out that more than two thirds of the NHS owned estate - excluding projects funded through a public-private partnership (PPP) - was built before 1980 and 11% was built before 1900.
Almost all bodies within the health service have surveyed their estate within the past five years, but only 11 provided information on this to Audit Scotland.Almost all bodies within the health service have surveyed their estate within the past five years, but only 11 provided information on this to Audit Scotland.
And the report said: "There is no complete picture of the quality of the NHS estate in Scotland.And the report said: "There is no complete picture of the quality of the NHS estate in Scotland.
"Information from 11 NHS bodies showed that the majority of the estate is of satisfactory quality, although around a third will require major upgrading in coming years.""Information from 11 NHS bodies showed that the majority of the estate is of satisfactory quality, although around a third will require major upgrading in coming years."
Sixteen NHS bodies did provide details of how much it would cost to bring their estate up to its original condition in the coming years - with the maintenance backlog totalling £512m.Sixteen NHS bodies did provide details of how much it would cost to bring their estate up to its original condition in the coming years - with the maintenance backlog totalling £512m.
But the report, Asset Management in the NHS in Scotland, said NHS bodies spent differing amounts on maintenance, adding "there is no link between condition of the estate and maintenance budgets".But the report, Asset Management in the NHS in Scotland, said NHS bodies spent differing amounts on maintenance, adding "there is no link between condition of the estate and maintenance budgets".
As well as highlighting that not all NHS bodies knew the level of maintenance required, the report further added that most did not plan maintenance work in advance.As well as highlighting that not all NHS bodies knew the level of maintenance required, the report further added that most did not plan maintenance work in advance.
It stated: "Most NHS bodies are still primarily reacting to, rather than planning maintenance."It stated: "Most NHS bodies are still primarily reacting to, rather than planning maintenance."
'Work strategically''Work strategically'
Robert Black, the auditor general for Scotland, said: "The health service's building's land, equipment and other assets are worth a considerable amount of public money - about £5bn in total - and a significant amount of investment continues to go into them.Robert Black, the auditor general for Scotland, said: "The health service's building's land, equipment and other assets are worth a considerable amount of public money - about £5bn in total - and a significant amount of investment continues to go into them.
"While NHS bodies are beginning to manage their assets more strategically, they need better information about their condition and performance to ensure that they continue to provide the best health services they can, in the most appropriate settings.""While NHS bodies are beginning to manage their assets more strategically, they need better information about their condition and performance to ensure that they continue to provide the best health services they can, in the most appropriate settings."
Audit Scotland found 63% of the NHS estate was adequately used, but that 23% was under-used, 3% was empty and 11% was overcrowded.Audit Scotland found 63% of the NHS estate was adequately used, but that 23% was under-used, 3% was empty and 11% was overcrowded.
It recommended NHS bodies should make sure they assessed their estate on a regular basis, looking at factors such as condition and how the space was used.It recommended NHS bodies should make sure they assessed their estate on a regular basis, looking at factors such as condition and how the space was used.
The report also called on the Scottish Government to routinely collect information from NHS bodies on the performance of assets.The report also called on the Scottish Government to routinely collect information from NHS bodies on the performance of assets.
And it said NHS bodies should develop strategies for each type of asset, and then develop a corporate asset management strategy and plan which linked with their clinical strategies.And it said NHS bodies should develop strategies for each type of asset, and then develop a corporate asset management strategy and plan which linked with their clinical strategies.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We are already reviewing and updating existing policies and guidance to ensure that the asset base is mobilised in support our strategic objectives and we are investing £1.676bn over three years."