§ 32. Sir Hector MonroTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals and other health board facilities have been built in Scotland since 1979; and at what cost.
§ Mr. LangEighty-seven major hospital building projects have been completed since 1979 at a cost of £482 million. In addition to hospital new build and redevelopment, completed projects have included hospital service facilities, residences and energy saving schemes.
In the same period a large number of minor hospital projects and developments were completed. There has also been a major investment in information technology and a special programme to tackle backlog maintenance worth over £200; and significant new investment in health centres and colleges of nursing.
Capital investment in the NHS in Scotland has increased by 50 per cent. in real terms from 1979 to the year end 1991–92 and a total of nearly £230 million has been allocated to health boards in Scotland for capital expenditure for 1992–93.
A further 41 major projects with a value of £300 million are currently in the pipeline, representing the largest building programme in the history of the NHS in Scotland.