Rundown NHS hospitals have become a danger to patients, warn health chiefs

Exclusive: bill for repairs backlog runs to 9bn and waiting lists are lengthening because of lack of capital to improve infrastructure

NHS patients are being put in danger and waiting lists are getting even longer due to a 9bn maintenance backlog and a major lack of capital funding that has left some parts of hospitals extremely dilapidated" and unfit for patients, health leaders have warned.

Boris Johnson promised in 2019 to build and fund 40 new hospitals". But the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), the government watchdog, later gave the project an amber/red" ranking, meaning its delivery is in doubt with major risks or issues apparent in a number of key areas".