House of Commons (written answer 23.03.05)
NHS Estate
Dr. Evan Harris (Lib Dem, Oxford West & Abingdon) : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the NHS estate was compliant with (a) fire safety and (b) health and safety legislation on 1 April 2004; and if he will make a statement.
Rt Hon John Hutton (Minister of State Department of Health, Lab, Barrow & Furness) : At 1 April 2004, the national health service reported an increase to 92.9 per cent. in the proportions of the NHS estate, based on the total patient occupied floor area, that was fully compliant with fire safety requirements. The equivalent figure for health and safety increased to 91.2 per cent. Trusts make every effort to remedy any concerns from local enforcement bodies as quickly as possible. The small area of the estate reported as non-compliant covered a wide variety of conditions, including that which is just below standard, and these figures do not indicate significant levels of risk.
dave bev
