• The government has published new guidance on NHS property ownership.
• The change will allow NHS trusts and foundation trusts to apply for the transfer of ownership of properties on their estate.
• Trusts will need to apply by putting forward a business case which shows how owning the property will improve frontline services, enable faster decision-making on investment in new facilities and help them use their overall estate more efficiently.
• Applications will be subject to approval by the Department of Health and Social Care.

 
The deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“This is a welcome move by the government which will allow NHS trusts to apply for the transfer of ownership of properties on their estate.

“This change recognises that it is NHS trusts who are best placed to manage their NHS property and buildings and invest to improve services for patients.

This change recognises that it is NHS trusts who are best placed to manage their NHS property and buildings and invest to improve services for patients.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive

“Although this change is positive, it will not solve the wider problems of trusts accessing capital funding.

“We need to see immediate action on this. This year there appears to be a large gap to bridge between what trusts say they want to spend on capital and the NHS capital spending limit.

“We’ll need a quick, short term, solution to this issue alongside the longer term work required for a clear, transparent, rapid and easy to use system for accessing, prioritising and approving capital expenditure.”