Some NHS facilities 'not fit for purpose'

Musgrove Park Hospital's maternity services are more than 70 years old

Nearly 30 NHS sites in Somerset are “not fit for purpose” according to county health bosses.

The NHS Somerset integrated care board (ICB) has published its infrastructure strategy, identifying which buildings need to be improved.

As part of this, 28 buildings have been singled out as being “poor quality”, with NHS guidance stating these sites “should be phased out".

The ICB said infrastructure issues were being addressed, including changes to stroke services at Musgrove, upgrading Yeovil Hospital’s air conditioning and improving dental services.

The ICB’s infrastructure strategy was published on 26 September, covering community hospitals, mental health facilities, GP surgeries and dental practices as well as major hospitals.

A spokesman said: “Some of our buildings are modern and flexible, fit for modern healthcare delivery. Others are more than 150 years old and no longer easy to keep safe.

“Our infrastructure strategy lays out the significant challenges faced in doing this, particularly given funding restrictions and the increasing difficulties of managing greater demand in facilities which are not fit for purpose.”

The report says the county's health infrastructure is impacted by an ageing population, housing growth, lack of key worker accommodation, a maintenance backlog and a shortage of funding.

Musgrove Park Hospital's maternity services and some of its operating theatres are more than 70 years old and are “expensive to maintain and keep safe”.

While the theatres will soon be demolished once their replacements have been constructed, funding for a new maternity unit has not yet been secured.

Health bosses said they had identified buildings, some of which are former district council properties, which "have the potential for wider public sector usage beyond their current use".