Benefits to infrastructure

The strengthening of the NHS physical infrastructure thanks to schemes developed and managed by Community Health Partnerships has been impressive.

Investment worth more than £2.2b has been generated by CHP in developing more than 270 buildings that are either open or under construction across all 10 English strategic health authorities.

This investment has largely been engineered via the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme, with CHP as key to helping the public sector to use their LIFTCos more effectively as well as supporting LIFTCos in their development.

This form of procurement is offering efficient, on-time delivery of health and local authority services which brings long-term value for money at predictable cost to PCTs, local government and to clinicians. Maintenance agreements ensure that the developments remain of high standard for 25 years.

The resulting improved infrastructure is supporting a successful shift of services from the acute sector to local, primary care by developing facilities appropriate for such transfer.

CHP develops, gathers and disseminates best practice in public-private partnerships through its excellent networks and relationships. As a locally-based, national organisation, CHP can ensure that the key issues are voiced at a national policy level and that there is real understanding of local needs.