Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, has welcomed the additional £6.5 million given to Leighton Hospital for maintenance.

The Government has announced allocations of £600 million to tackle critical maintenance work in hospitals across England, which includes £6.5 million for Leighton Hospital.

The money is part of a £1.5 billion announced by the Prime Minister in the summer to level up hospital infrastructure across the NHS.

While £600 million will be spent on these critical maintenance upgrades, the remainder will be spent on modernising mental health facilities, expanding A&E capacity and improving infection control ahead of winter.

Leighton Hospital will receive this funding to carry out maintenance work, which could include refurbishing buildings, upgrades to electrical infrastructure, improvements to ventilation systems, works to improve fire safety and the replacement of hospital lifts. The work will be completed by March 2021.

Following the announcement, Dr Mullan commented: "It is fantastic news that £6.5 million is being provided to help maintain Leighton Hospital, this funding will help fund vital maintenance work over the coming months.

"While this is great to hear, it shows the cost of trying to keep older buildings running past their prime.

"That is why I am still campaigning hard to get Leighton Hospital named as one of the additional eight hospitals in England to receive major additional investment.

"I have met with the Prime Minister about this and we are building a strong case for Leighton Hospital's inclusion in the hospital upgrade project. You can still help support me in this by signing the petition on my website."