Cash injection for hospital ‘overdue'

Millions given to NHS to fix infrastructure

- BY HELENA VESTY

ROCHDALE hospitals are being given millions in funding to fix safety problems.

The government is handing out £750m to NHS trusts across the country.

The funding is aimed at tackling long-standing infrastructure problems 'caused by years of underinvestment.

Hospitals in Greater Manchester stand to receive £36.922m from the 2025/26 Estates Safety Fund.

The funding will be used for urgent maintenance such as fixing leaking pipes, upgrading faulty electrical systems, improving ventilation, and meeting fire safety requirements, all of which are cited as major causes of disruption to patient care.

MP Paul Waugh MP has welcomed confirmation Rochdale Infirmary and Birch Hill Hospital will be among those to benefit.

"I'm delighted Rochdale is one of the areas set to benefit from this major NHS investment," he said.

"This cash injection for Rochdale Infirmary and Birch Hill Hospital is badly needed and long overdue.

"Thousands of appointments and operations were cancelled in recent years due to basic maintenance failures like poor wiring, leaking roofs and ventilation breakdowns.

"These are not just inconveniences, they directly affect patient health and staff well-being."

This is how the funding is broken down for each part of Greater Manchester:

• BOLTON: NHS Foundation Trust will receive £4.7m for the Royal Bolton Hospital. This money will go to improvements to energy systems and ventilation systems