House of Commons Library data showed investment in clearing the NHS repair backlog fell from £1.4bn in 2020/21 to £895m in 2023/24, a decline of 37%.

Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson, Helen Morgan, said: ‘When somebody goes into hospital, the only thing that should be on their mind is getting better, not worrying about if the roof caves in on them or if there will be a power cut as they are receiving treatment. The state of our crumbling hospitals is a national scandal.'

The research found 6.5% (£900m) of the £13.8bn required to eradicate hospital repair backlogs was invested last year.

Investment to reduce backlog maintenance for critical infrastructure risks fell by 28% from £894m in 2021/22 to £646m in 2023/24.

Almost six in 10 (106 of 185 trusts) saw a fall in critical infrastructure investment and there was a 52% decline non-critical infrastructure investment from £517m to £248m.

Previous research by the Liberal Democrats found 600 days of clinical time were lost in 2023/24 due to NHS estate infrastructure failures, including crumbling roofs at risk of collapse, water leaks, broken-down lifts, or ventilation and heating systems not working properly.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘The NHS estate we inherited is crumbling, following years of damage and neglect. Repairing and rebuilding our hospitals is a key part of our ambition to create a health service that is fit for the future.

‘This Government is already taking action. We made difficult but necessary choices at the Budget that have allowed us to bring in the biggest capital budget in real terms since before 2010 – including over £1bn into critical NHS maintenance, repairs and upgrades.'