A string of bureaucratic barriers are still holding up development of buildings for primary and community care, multiple NHS and industry organisations have warned.
Concerns were raised in written evidence to the health and social care committee’s ongoing inquiry into what is needed from the NHS estate to deliver the government’s vision of a neighbourhood health service.
Primary Health Properties PLC, the UK’s largest primary care property investor, said it has 19 planned developments of new health centres and around 20 upgrades to existing buildings serving more than 500,000 patients that are “currently stuck due to challenges with local NHS decision-making and agreeing a viable rent”.
Rugby Primary Care Network also said the “health on the high street” concept had “completely stalled” in Rugby and was “costing thousands due to acquisition from private landlords”.
Warwickshire District Council, meanwhile, said local community estate, including GP surgeries, was “antiquated and out of date”, adding: “What you have got for the most part isn’t good enough to do the job.”
NHS organisations and industry sources have raised concerns in recent years over barriers to upgrading primary care premises. HSJ reported how debate over rent prices was contributing to an “untenable stalemate” back in 2024.
The government is now seeking to develop and expand hundreds of primary and community facilities to create “neighbourhood health centres”, with some funded publicly and some by a new private finance programme. It issued guidance last week that asked ICBs to set out their planned schemes.
Source: HSJ, 23 April 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment