Urgent warning over ‘unsustainable’ problems at Stepping Hill Hospital
Stockport's council leader and Lib Dem MPs have issued an urgent warning about the conditions at 'crumbling' Stepping Hill Hospital.
Cllr Mark Roberts, who took over as leader of Stockport town hall this year, said buildings at the hospital are not safe for staff and patients.
He joined MPs Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison in calling for immediate action to address the problems.
"The situation at Stepping Hill is simply not sustainable," Cllr Roberts said.
"Our amazing NHS staff are doing everything they can in crumbling and unsafe buildings, it's not fair on them, and it's not fair on patients.
"We need urgent repairs now, but we also need to plan for the future."
The council leader called for new investment for a 'modern, centrally located healthcare facility' based near Stockport Interchange.
Bosses at the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said last year that the repair backlog at Stepping Hill had reached £134m, and that it was struggling to manage the growing list of work required.
The hospital, based about 2.5 miles from Stockport town centre, will get £2.6m this year from the government's estates safety fund for essential safety works.
In December 2024, construction work started on a new outpatient building at Stepping Hill, backed by £24.3m of funding.
MPs Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison said Stockport needs a new health facility located in the town centre.
A petition calling for repairs and a new town-centre site was signed by more than 6,000 people and handed to 10 Downing Street, Stockport Lib Dems said.
"I've spoken to staff working in flooded wards and patients worried about safety in ageing buildings," Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said.
"This petition is a clear sign that our community is united, we need urgent funding for critical repairs, and we need a long-term plan for the future."
Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart said she recently met with health minister Karin Smyth about the future of the hospital.
Ms Smart added: "Residents are rightly worried about the state of Stepping Hill, and I've heard from hundreds of people about the profound impact the hospital's condition is having on them and their families.
"I raised those concerns directly with the minister in our recent meeting and was heartened by her willingness to engage.
"But warm words aren't enough, we now need concrete action, both to fix the hospital in the short term and to deliver a second site in the longer term."
In 2021, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Stockport council shared plans for a new hospital facility based at the town's former Debenhams store.
A bid was made to fund this work from a £3.7-billion programme for 40 new hospitals by 2030 under the former Conservative government – but Stepping Hill did not make the list.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Repairing and rebuilding our healthcare estate is a vital part of our ambition to create an NHS fit for the future through our 10 Year Health Plan.
"We are investing £30 billion over the next five years in day-to-day maintenance and repair of the NHS estate with over £5bn allocated specifically to address the most critical building repairs.
"This includes a £750 million boost this financial year, as an essential first step towards addressing the poorest quality estate across the NHS and ensuring a safe, sustainable healthcare environment."
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust was approached for comment.
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