THE Dudley Group hospital trust bucked the trend as none of its sites required repairing to full working order, despite growing maintenance backlogs across England, new figures show.

The growing number of hospital buildings in a poor state nationally means the repair bill has climbed to £11.6 billion last year.

NHS Providers, the body which represents NHS hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services, said the rate at which the bill is rising is "alarming", and urged the Government to provide much-needed investment in broken buildings.

But the latest NHS Digital figures show no buildings at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust needed restoring to certain standards as of March.

Such work would have covered everything from leaky gutters and faulty lifts to critical electrical and structural issues in hospital buildings.

It was one of only a handful of NHS trusts to have no buildings in disrepair.

However, in October it was confirmed by the Department for Health and Social Care that Russells Hall Hospital was among 42 hospital sites across the country found to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) which must be repaired.

Dudley Group's chief executive Diane Wake said the trust's estates team has been working with its PFI partner Summit and specialist structural engineers to monitor the presence of RAAC at Russells Hall.

And she added: “In the event any RAAC planks are identified as needing attention, we have appropriate mitigations and monitoring in place to maintain the safety of our patients, visitors and staff.”

The Department for Health and Social Care said it has invested "significant sums" into upgrading and modernising NHS buildings including £4.2 billion this financial year.

A spokesperson for the DHSC added: "Trusts are responsible for prioritising this funding to maintain and refurbish their premises, including the renewal and replacement of equipment."