The Countess of Chester is one of many hospitals set to benefit from a nationwide £750 million investment, in a bid to prevent thousands of cancelled operations and appointments.

Through its 'Plan for Change', the government will deliver vital maintenance in hospitals - with funding tackling long-term problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues.

Across the country, more than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to fix long-standing issues.

Samantha Dixon, MP for Chester North & Neston, described the funding as 'vital' and 'another step in this Government's mission to fix the current state of public services.

The projects include much needed works at the Countess of Chester, helping patients benefit from better services and facilities across the health system.

Across the country, fixing the backlog of maintenance at NHS hospitals will help prevent cancellations, with services disrupted over 4,000 times in 2023/24 due to issues with poor quality buildings.

The hospital funding package was confirmed in last year's Autumn Budget, in which an extra £26billion was secured for the NHS.

Samantha Dixon, Labour MP for Chester North & Neston said: "This is very welcome news for patients at the Countess of Chester as this Labour Government continues to deliver on our promise to residents that we will turn the NHS around. 

"Step by step, we are not only lifting the NHS off its knees with more appointments and more GPs but helping to make it fit for the future with vital maintenance to help prevent cancelled appointments and operations. Lots done, and lots more to do."

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: "A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling - with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity.

"We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation.

"Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose.

"Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future."