More than one-third of NHS Scotland buildings have been assessed as having major defects, with the health service estate described as "crumbling on the SNP's watch."
Health Secretary Angela Constance confirmed this week that 34 per cent of the health service estate has been rated as Condition C or D, meaning they require urgent repair. Buildings in Category C are considered to be in a poor condition with "major defects" identified, while those in Category D are deemed unacceptable and in urgent need of repair.
Backlog worsens since 2020
The repairs backlog has worsened since 2020, when 29 per cent of the estate was considered to be in Category C or D. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has the largest maintenance backlog, at an estimated cost of £673m, followed by NHS Grampian on £214m and NHS Tayside on £124m.
The figures were published amid ongoing backlash after the SNP Government rejected plans to replace the crumbling Monklands hospital in Airdrie after estimated costs ballooned. Constance used the last day of parliamentary business before Holyrood ended for its summer break in June to demand a full redesign of the new hospital. There is now no agreed date for when building work will commence.
Monklands hospital concerns
The current Monklands hospital, which dates from the 1970s, was branded a "death trap" in 2024 after beds were closed over flies, asbestos and a dodgy ceiling. A leaked report also revealed the hospital is struggling with fire safety and legionella. The dated structure will require at least £45m of repairs just to keep it open in the medium term.
The crumbling health campus sits on the boundary between the towns of Airdrie and Coatbridge and is one of the busiest in Scotland, outwith the four major cities.
Political reaction
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservatives health spokesman, said: "These shocking figures are a damning indictment of the SNP’s mismanagement of Scotland’s NHS estate. It is disgraceful that so many buildings across the country are in such a dire state after two decades of SNP rule. Our NHS is literally crumbling under the SNP."
He added: "Their failures to deliver the infrastructure required for the modern age could potentially be putting patients and staff at risk. They deserve to be working and treated in buildings that are fit for purpose, rather than falling into total disrepair. Angela Constance as the SNP’s latest health secretary needs to urgently get a grip on this situation. She must come clean as to why the estate is in such poor condition and outline a plan that will bring the estate up to scratch as quickly as possible."
Government response
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Cost and affordability remain key challenges, with Scotland's capital block grant set to reduce in real terms by 5.7% by 2029-30. This is compounded by historic real terms cuts and sustained high construction inflation."
The spokeswoman added: "We are already working with all health boards to develop a whole system NHS infrastructure plan to support continued, safe and effective use of existing facilities as well as determination of longer-term investment priorities."
