Website of the Department of Health
Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.
Page menu
You are here:
About NHS LIFT
-
Last modified date:9 February 2007
NHS LIFT is a vehicle for improving and developing frontline primary and community care facilities. It is allowing PCTs to invest in new premises in new locations, not merely reproduce existing types of service. It is providing patients with modern integrated health services in high quality, fit for purpose primary care premises.
NHS LIFT is flexible in respect of the type of buildings it provides. The approach does not provide a building into which you put your services. Rather it allows the building design to reflect the needs of the services. To date LIFT is providing a range of building types including re-provision of GP premises, one stop primary care centres, integrated health and local authority service centres, and community hospitals.
The one-stop-shop principle is an important component of NHS LIFT - allowing the patient to be treated in their locality in so-called 'One-Stop-Centres' or Primary Care Centres that are modern, convenient, easy to access and staffed by a wide range of healthcare professionals.
'These new super surgeries will provide some of the most modern family doctor facilities anywhere in the country. NHS patients will be able to access a wide range of services right on their doorsteps, all under one roof.
'It's the largest and most sustained programmes of modernisation of primary care premises in the history of the NHS
'This Government is determined to tackle health inequalities. These surgeries target new resources to the poorest communities.
'The fantastic new facilities will also help attract some of the finest GPs to Britain's deprived areas where they are most needed.'
The former Secretary State for Health The Rt Hon John Reid speaking at the opening of the first LIFT building - The Centre, Manor Park, Newham - 26th November 2004.
Background
Of all patient contact with the NHS, the overwhelming majority - about 90% - occur in general practice. A survey of primary care in inner cities, revealed that many of the deprived urban areas, where health need is greatest, suffer from a disproportionately high number of sub-standard premises.
The condition and functionality of the existing primary care estate is variable with current facilities not always meeting patients expectations, with quality and access often being below an acceptable standard. Consequently, service development is sometimes severely hampered by the limitations of the premises.
Survey data shows that:
- only 40% of primary care premises are purpose built;
- almost half are either adapted residential buildings or converted shops;
- less than 5% of GP's premises are co-located with pharmacy and around the same proportion are co-located with social services;;
- around 80% are below the recommended size
Investment in primary health and social care facilities, particularly in inner city areas, is a key Government priority - it is clear that new buildings are required to provide people with modern integrated primary care services.
Currently investment in new facilities tends to be fragmented and piecemeal. In addition, the private sector has found the primary care market a difficult one in which to operate and develop and too many of the developments had tended to be small-scale and focussed in the more affluent areas.
Access keys
