With research suggesting that 84% of NHS leaders struggled to access funding due to lack of understanding or challenges with the application process, and that 54% had ‘a lack confidence’ in combining multiple sources of capital, NHS Property Services launched a new NHS Guide to Estate Funding at the recent NHS Property 2024 conference in London.
Unveiling it, NHSPS pointed out that Lord Darzi’s recent confirmation of a £37 bn shortfall in NHS capital investment, and the subsequent Budget announcement of a £1.57 bn capital investment allocation over the next financial year, indicate that estate funding is ‘firmly on the agenda for NHS leaders’.
Research conducted by NHSPS in partnership with the Health Service Journal earlier this year showed that ‘aged estate and growing resource pressures continue to provide significant challenge to NHS leaders trying to fund improvements and deliver the right infrastructure strategies’. NHS Property Services said: “In response, the NHSPS Guide provides a succinct, easy-to- navigate overview of estates funding routes and the associated application processes, plus an outline of the expected timings and key skills needed to successfully secure funding.
It also includes practical insights showing NHS leaders how to get the most from each funding source, and a quick reference checklist to help Estates, Finance, and Strategy leads decide which funding option is appropriate for them.”
Karina Dare, Primary Care Estates Strategy Lead for NHSPS (pictured) explained: “NHS leaders have consistently told us capital funding is the biggest challenge they face. From releasing additional capital to deepening their understanding of the numerous funding processes, our new Guide is designed to explain how to make the most of the capital and revenue resources available to them. It illustrates the role we can play as their strategic estates partner, helping them challenge the shortfall so NHS patients and colleagues are able to both access and deliver high quality services in buildings that are fit for purpose both now and in the future.”
The NHS Guide to Estate Funding is available online at https://www.property.nhs.uk/nhs-estate-funding, and a full copy of the online survey report, NHS Estate Funding Survey Report Challenges, barriers and next steps 2024, is viewable at https://tinyurl.com/y6m7n9dj