PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
NHS Property and Estates Review (7 February 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government's response to the Naylor Review, published on 30 January 2018, what assessment he has made of whether requirements for business cases to be based on benefits across a whole Sustainability and Transformation Plan might prevent NHS Foundation Trusts from acting autonomously and pursuing independent proposals as is current practice.

Asked by:
Karin Smyth (Labour)

The evaluation of capital investment proposals is undertaken jointly by the Department, NHS England and NHS Improvement. No proposal can progress until it has received formal approval, as set out in guidance issued by NHS Improvement available at:

www.improvement.nhs.uk/resources/capital-regime-investment-and-property-business-case-approval-guidance-nhs-trusts-and-foundation-trusts/

The Government response to the Naylor review is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/naylor-review-government-response

It sets a clear expectation that local National Health Service leaders will collaborate to develop estates strategies that support the priorities set by sustainability and transformation partnerships (STP), and to develop robust capital business cases. Business cases are submitted by an individual NHS trust or NHS foundation trust as STPs are not legal entities. The business case approval process will provide assurance that proposals align with the STP’s clinical and estates strategy and will deliver the intended benefits.

Answered by:
Steve Barclay (Conservative)
26 February 2018