Paul Waugh MP has welcomed confirmation that Rochdale Infirmary and Birch Hill Hospital will benefit from new government funding to tackle critical safety issues in NHS buildings.

In a letter from Health Minister Ashley Dalton MP, Paul Waugh was informed that both hospitals have been successful in securing investment from the £750 million Estates Safety Fund for 2025/26 — funding that will address long-standing infrastructure problems caused by years of underinvestment.

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 under the previous government.

Mr Waugh said:

“I’m delighted that Rochdale is one of the areas set to benefit from this major NHS investment. 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 wellbeing.

“Step by step, this Labour government is lifting the NHS off its knees. We’re delivering more appointments, more GPs, and now the investment to make sure our hospitals are safe, modern, and fit for the future.

“There’s still a huge job to do — not least on maternity care — but this is a very welcome and important start.”

The Estates Safety Fund was first outlined in the 2024 Autumn Budget, and is designed to tackle the worst infrastructure issues across NHS sites in England. It includes investment in maternity, mental health and community settings as well as acute hospitals.

More information is available on the Government’s website, which includes a full list of funded NHS sites and planned improvements:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estates-safety-fund-2025-to-2026