Tony Walls Workers Party Representative for the Lower Falls has reacted angrily to the Audit Office Report saying the maintenance backlog in Northern Ireland’s health estate has grown to more than £1.6 Billion.

Mr Walls said this is a staggering amount of money and neglect as the report says that 40% of the buildings are not fully compliant with current regulations and need to be upgraded. The health estate has more than 1700 buildings freehold buildings and 200 leasehold that are made up of hospitals, health centres, ambulance stations and fire stations, across 400 sites and the Audit General says many are deteriorating. The report states that the estate is aging and many are not fit for purpose due to age and condition.

The report highlights that many of these facilities have seen increased footfall and demand for services has increased. Mr Walls says this is hardly surprising given the current levels of health inequalities, poor housing conditions, and the cost of living crisis. Quoting West Belfast as one of the most deprived areas in western Europe and other impoverished areas across Northern Ireland.

The Workers Party is opposed to the granting of permission for building of new private health care facilities that is close to 3 hospitals and a number of other healthcare facilities. “People will now wonder if the health estate is being run down by neglect or design” patients and staff are entitled to work and be treated in buildings that are compliant with regulations. The Executive and Health Service leadership should not be dependent on the private sector and their new buildings which will do nothing to deal with our growing health inequalities and multiple deprivations.