£200 million announcement leaves Stepping Hill with unclear share and questions over new money

Cheadle MP Tom Morrison and Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart have welcomed the announcement that Stepping Hill Hospital will receive a share of £200 million in Government funding to deliver a new pathology building at the hospital, but have warned that the money falls well short of what is needed to deal with the hospital’s crumbling buildings.

The funding was announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in a statement to the House of Commons, as part of the first wave of investment from the £6.75 billion Estates Safety Fund. Stepping Hill is one of ten hospitals named to share £200 million from that fund.

However, the two MPs point out that Stepping Hill's own repair backlog stands at £134 million, with the funding dedicated to the new pathology building, and none for the wider deficit.

Tom Morrison has submitted written questions to the Department of Health and Social Care asking for the specific sum allocated to Stepping Hill, a timetable for the works, and raising his concerns about the remaining backlog.

Following the statement, Lisa Smart challenged the Secretary of State directly in the Chamber, questioning whether this represents genuinely new money for Stepping Hill. Ministers keep announcing things without local people seeing the promised improvements delivered. Lisa also used her question to invite the Secretary of State to visit Stepping Hill in person, to meet staff and see the condition of buildings that predate the NHS itself.

Tom Morrison, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, said: "Any investment in Stepping Hill is welcome, and it's right that the Government has recognised the state of our hospital's estate. But we still don't know how much of this £200 million is actually coming to Stepping Hill. With a backlog of £134 million, a small share of a pot shared between ten hospitals won't touch the sides. I've submitted written questions to get a straight answer on the figure, the timetable, and what happens if the works slip."

Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove, said: “We've heard this before, and I asked the Secretary of State directly whether this is genuinely new money or the same pot being relabelled. As welcome as the new pathology building is, this was work already under way, and the £134 million backlog won't disappear because of it. I've invited the Secretary of State to come and see for herself, to meet the hardworking staff who keep this hospital running, and to walk through buildings that are older than the NHS itself.”

The MPs said they would continue to press the Department for a clear response and would update constituents once further detail is available.