The funding to refurbish wards, fit new electrics and upgraded ventilation systems and upgrade fire safety has been released to 178 NHS trusts to cover almost 1,800 maintenance projects.

The first projects are now getting underway, and will be completed by March 2021.

The investment is part of £1.5bn capital funding announced in the summer to build an NHS fit for the future, which also includes plans to modernise mental health facilities and expand A&E capacity.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better.

“These crucial maintenance projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to their patients this winter, helping ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”

The projects include:

• £16m for a new critical care centre at Northampton General Hospital
• £3.3m to Croydon Health Services NHS Trust for a new paediatric integrated unit
• £6.5m for the construction of a new MRI building at St George’s Hospital in London to house a new scanner
• £2.7m to refurbish Firth Theatres at the Northern General Hospital, which includes critical care, cardiovascular surgery and other surgical wards

The successful projects are evenly distributed across England, with more than half of projects in the Midlands, North East and Yorkshire; and North West regions.

Today’s announcement is on top of an additional £450m investment from government to improve hospital A&Es this winter by expanding waiting areas and increasing the number of treatment cubicles.