SCOTLAND’S NHS is facing a maintenance backlog worth almost £900 million, it has emerged.

A review of assets found just a quarter of buildings are in a good physical condition in one health board.

It comes after an estimated £150 million of debt was wiped from NHS boards across Scotland to allow them to start with a “clean slate”.

The latest report looked at the condition of NHS assets – including buildings, vehicles and equipment.

It found the number of properties classed as being in “good physical condition” has increased slightly, with only three per cent requiring either major investment or replacement.

However at NHS Orkney, only 25 per cent of buildings were in a good condition.

The overall maintenance backlog in 2017 reached £899 million.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the report found “a high level of satisfaction with the hospital environment, with most NHS buildings in a good condition”.

She said recently announced changes requiring regional health boards to break even over a three-year period – instead of one year – would provide the NHS with "more flexibility" for building works.

She added: "The Scottish Government is also not seeking to recover NHS territorial boards' outstanding spend over the last five years which has been above their budget.

"This clean slate will support all boards to be able to focus their attention on delivering the best patient care possible."

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said while there was a "marginal nationwide improvement" it was "clear some parts of the country are being left far behind".