Fury as government U-turns on promise to fund repairs at Stepping Hill Hospital
manchestereveningnews.co.ukThe government has said it 'cannot commit' to funding repairs at Stepping Hill Hospital - despite promising to provide investment just months ago as bosses said the bill had reached £130m.
Department of Health and Social Care officials told the Manchester Evening News in July that it was aware of the 'state of disrepair' at the Stockport hospital and that it would 'provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve'.
The comments came after the borough's three MPs - Lib Dems Tom Morrison, Lisa Smart and Labour's Navendu Mishra - urged the government to take action at the hospital, which has endured major problems across its estate including collapsing ceilings and flooded corridors. READ MORE: 'Stockport's Merseyway is back from the dead - this is what we want from it now' But in a letter sent to Mr Morrison this week, the minister of state for health, Karin Smyth, said funding is not available 'at this stage' due to the state of public finances, which chancellor Rachel Reeves has said amounts to a £22bn black hole.
Ms Smyth's letter added that the government 'will monitor any emerging in-year flexibilities or opportunities' to find funding for the site, and that she will arrange a visit to the hospital.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk