Government displays map of NHS building since 1997

The government has presented a map displaying the location of new hospitals and primary care facilities constructed or in development since Labour was elected in 1997. On the map are 116 new hospitals and 188 primary care facilities, such as GP surgeries, health centres and clinics.

Included in the presentation are seven new private finance initiative hospitals worth in the region of 1.5 billion pounds that are soon to open to patients following the passing of government checks on affordability and efficiency.

Patricia Hewitt, health secretary, said: “This map clearly illustrates that the NHS is opening hospitals, not closing them.

“These developments represent our commitment to the biggest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS.”

She added that the government had exceeded the NHS Plan target of constructing 100 new hospitals and had transformed the NHS in the process, enabling patients to be treated in modern medical facilities more rapidly.

The government reports that 10.6 billion pounds has been invested in the NHS for the construction of these facilities.

Earlier this week, the government launched the Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases campaign aiming to reduce the spread of diseases by promoting hygiene steps.