Four NHS trusts in Devon have been allocated £9.2 million to upgrade and refurbish their hospitals. The funding is part of £600 million the Government is committing nationally, with the 48 projects in Devon set to benefit from the funding. Projects can include building new or refurbishing buildings to deliver key services, upgrades to electrical infrastructure, improvements to ventilation systems, works to improve fire safety and the replacement of hospital lifts. The work will be completed by March 2021.
The funding breaks down as £5.2 million for 23 projects within the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation, £2.8 million for 6 projects within the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation, £796,000 for 9 projects within the Devon Partnership NHS Trust and £397,000 for 10 projects at the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
Central Devon MP Mel Stride, who as a treasury minister helped to provide the largest ever cash increase for the NHS, said:
“The importance of our cherished National Health Service has been underlined throughout 2020 and the Government is delivering on its promise to level up funding across the country. £9.2 million for Devon’s NHS Trusts is very welcome and will enable vital improvements across their hospitals to go ahead.”
In addition to the £600 million being spent on these critical maintenance upgrades, £900 million will also be spent on modernising mental health facilities, expanding A&E capacity and improving infection control.
