Bolton Hospital could be set for £30M boost

The Royal Bolton Hospital is poised to receive a huge funding boost as the Independent Trust Financing Facility (ITFF) has recommended that the Department of Health awards Bolton NHS Foundation Trust £30m to update its buildings and computer systems.

The recommendation is being viewed as a vote of confidence in the Trust as it was put in breach of its authorisation in 2012 by regulator Monitor for failings in finance, governance and performance.

Subject to the Trust’s recommendation being approved, £22M of the money will be spent on projects aimed at improving the estate at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

This will include Accident and Emergency accommodation being refurbished and an expansion of the area within the department where seriously ill patients are cared for.

The Endoscopy Unit will be relocated and expanded to provide additional facilities for patients. The Day Surgery unit will also be refurbished with the current operating theatres being upgraded.

The grounds of the Hospital will also be redeveloped with improvements made to the visitor and staff car parks and a new signage system introduced throughout the buildings and grounds.

The existing boiler house will converted to an energy centre, which will provide the hospital with electricity, heating and hot water and reduce the Trust’s energy costs and carbon emissions.

The remaining £8M of the funding would be invested in upgrading the Trust’s IT, meaning faster and more reliable equipment and systems for staff. A state-of-the-art security system to protect patient’s data will also be implemented.

Almost three quarters of the funding would be provided as a loan, meaning repayment would have to be made over the coming years.

Trust Chairman, David Wakefield, said: “This is a fantastic vote of confidence in the Trust, its staff and its future. It is clear that Monitor and the ITFF both have a firm belief in our abilities, and I’m very proud of all our staff for their contribution – it’s a very positive development.”

The news will come as a welcome boost to the hospital following the announcement earlier this week that it will have £1.34M cut from its budget cut as of January next year.

The Department of Health’s decision is expected to given within the next few weeks.

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