STORY
The Government has published a ten-year capital plan for the NHS, promising long-term investment in hospitals, GP surgeries, equipment and digital infrastructure. The health capital budget is expected to rise to £15 billion in 2029/30, with Ministers arguing that a stable programme will replace years of short-term and fragmented spending decisions.
Nearly 800 GP surgery upgrades have already been funded, which the Government estimates could create capacity for nine million additional appointments. A further £200 million will be used to expand and modernise practices, with more treatment intended to take place in community settings rather than hospitals.
The plan also proposes using surplus NHS land to build affordable homes for health service staff, particularly in places where high housing costs make recruitment difficult. Ministers said more than 4,100 incidents involving failing buildings and equipment disrupted patient care last year, including cancelled appointments and delayed treatment.