The total cost of maintenance for buildings across NHS Scotland currently stands at £948m.

The figure is a reduction of £62m from the £1bn cost in 2012, according to a report published today.

The 'State of the NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report 2012' details the figures which will allow health boards to tackle maintenance costs across the estate.

The total maintenance figure includes over £360m of work needed in non-medical areas and buildings for sale which do not impact on patients.

Boards are to address maintenance in clinical areas over the next five years.

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£310m is to be spent on capital funding to target the backlog.

NHS Scotland will also attempt to make better use of buildings and dispose of older properties to reduce the need for expenditure on backlog.

Some older properties will be fitted with with new facilities.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: "This report will help us to improve Scotland’s hospitals – and patients will see the benefits of new facilities across all areas, renovations to existing buildings and new, modern equipment.

"Last year, for the first time ever, we got a detailed account of the ongoing maintenance work needed on the NHS estate. This allowed health boards to continue to put in place action plans to maintain our NHS buildings and in the last year alone backlog maintenance has been reduced by £62m.

"Over the next five years boards will work to clear high and significant risk backlog in clinical areas altogether.

"It is important that care settings are suitable for our patients - that is why we are investing more than ever in the NHSScotland estate."

(IT)