• The Health Foundation has published new analysis which suggests that the UK is investing significantly less in health care capital as a share of GDP compared to most other similar countries.
• Of the countries analysed, the value of capital per health care worker in the UK is the second lowest, above only Greece.
• The analysis also shows that the UK is investing less in equipment and machinery as a share of its total capital.
• It also suggests that the recent announcements of funding to upgrade hospitals will not be enough to bring the UK in line with the spending of OECD countries.
  
  

Responding to an analysis of capital investment in UK healthcare from the Health Foundation, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said:

“This analysis makes it clear that the NHS is being left behind when it comes to investment in buildings, equipment and IT when compared with other EU countries.

“While recent government announcements for new hospitals and investment in cancer equipment have been very welcome, they are only a start of what is required to rebuild our health services and make them fit for the 21st century.

While recent government announcements for new hospitals and investment in cancer equipment have been very welcome, they are only a start of what is required to rebuild our health services and make them fit for the 21st century.

“We know that the backlog maintenance bill across the NHS has now climbed to record levels. It is patients who pay the price for years of capital neglect when they are forced to wait longer for treatment because of faulty scanners or we are unable to provide treatment for mental health conditions in appropriate wards or settings.

“Piecemeal announcements here and there will not address these challenges. We are calling on the government to commit to a multi year capital settlement that brings the NHS’ capital budget in line with comparable economies. To meet this level, we would need to see capital spending to double from the level it has been in recent years enabling trusts to pay for essential maintenance work while also investing in long-term, transformational capital projects.”