§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list in theOfficial Report the National Health Service properties in Tayside which require work to be done as identified by the National Audit Office report of 28 March, HC 405; and if he will make a statement;
456W(2) which National Health Service properties in (a) Scotland and (b) Tayside do not comply with statutory and non-statutory building standards as outlined in the National Audit Office report of 28 March, HC 405;
(3) what is the estimated cost of work required to be carried out in Tayside health board properties as identified by the National Audit Office report of 28 March, HC 405.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe National Audit Office report on "Estate Management in the National Health Service" does not identify particular properties used by Tayside health board which require substantial maintenance work. The report stresses the importance of developing strategies to maintain the Health Service estate in an adequate condition. The comprehensive survey into the condition of all hospitals, carried out by health boards in Scotland during 1986–87, is in line with this recommendation.
In the survey. Tayside health board estimated that work costing £21.8 million was necessary, over the next 10 years, to maintain its buildings in an adequate condition. This estimate is now being scrutinised by the Scottish Home and Health Department.
Where health service premises are subject to statutory requirements, the various enforcement agencies ensure compliance. Beyond these statutory requirements, the Department has issued instructions to boards on a wide range of non-statutory standards.