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A hospital in Essex, UK, has become the latest to suffer from frequent flooding and sewage leaks due to ageing infrastructure. The Princess Alexandra Hospital experiences infrastructure issues, including building-related problems and broken equipment, on average three times a week, according to official NHS data analysed by the Liberal Democrats. Two key operating theatres were out of action over the summer, affecting the care of patients requiring hip and knee surgery. It has a maintenance and repair bill of around £9m ($12.4m) a year, according to Stephanie Lawton, its chief operating officer. The hospital dates back to the 1960s.
In September 2019, there was delight when it was announced a new hospital would replace the existing one. It was predicted that the doors at the new site would open in 2024 following a pledge from Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, to build 40 new hospitals in England, including upgrades of existing sites. However, the finish date has now slipped to around 2030. Earlier this week, Princess Alexandra became one of 18 hospitals to be told that rebuilding work would be delayed further still. In the meantime, the hospital has no option but to continue with the existing, ageing infrastructure.
Other hospitals are experiencing similar challenges, made worse by a lack of investment in maintenance having resulted in a backlog of repairs. Torbay Hospital, one of the oldest in the NHS, dating back to the 1920s, and Leeds General Infirmary are among those suffering from sewage leaks and flooding. Others have been put back even further, with some being told work may not begin until the late 2030s. Uncertainty remains about the funding of the hospital rebuilding programmes.
Issues in hospitals are also being replicated in schools, courts and prisons, according to a report published this week by the UK’s National Audit Office
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