The Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme was conceived in 2000 and since then has successfully delivered a significant range of health, economic and regeneration benefits for some of the most disadvantaged communities in England, according to an independent report that examined the programme's socio-economic impacts.
This has been achieved through the formation of 49 LIFT companies – public/private partnerships – combining the expertise and knowledge of the private sector with the skills, experience and drive of the NHS, general practice and local authorities.
A recent report by AMION Consulting found that in the 10 years since the creation of the first LIFT company in East London, the programme has resulted in the most concentrated private sector investment in new, locally-run primary health and social care facilities since the advent of the NHS.
Currently, there are more than 300 NHS LIFT buildings. They accommodate a wide range of tenants, including GPs, primary and community healthcare providers, local government services and voluntary organisations.
One key benefit of the LIFT programme is the part that it has to play in supporting local regeneration activities.
There has been a deliberate emphasis on investment in new facilities in areas that are among the most deprived in the country.
In total, 119 LIFT projects are based in the 10% most deprived areas in the country.
That means £891m invested in these communities. LIFT investments have been by far the most significant expenditure for many years in such areas, with many far-reaching benefits for local communities.
One example is the development of the Orford Jubilee Community Hub, which is the result of £30m regeneration project between Warrington BC and Warrington Primary Care Trust (now Warrington CCG).
The hub consists of a library, swimming pool, social care facilities and a £6m primary health care centre, which was created by Renova Development LIFT Co. Part of the regeneration included transforming a landfill site.
LIFT projects have assisted in both the provision of a modernised infrastructure and in the removal of dereliction.
The buildings promote a better quality environment in their local areas and the generally high quality of design, combined with the evidence that they represent significant investment, tends to promote a sense of pride and a feeling that the area has a future, with the community as an active participant.
This can help engender a significant improvement in the overall image – both internally and externally – of an area. Such changes in perceptions are crucial in attracting further investment, with LIFT potentially providing a powerful focus for wider regeneration activities.
The construction of LIFT buildings has been an important source of economic activity during the recent period of financial hardship. To-date, the LIFT programme has directly generated:
Employment opportunities for approximately 30,000 people.
Some £860m net gross added value. The impact associated with projects currently under construction is estimated to be around £46.9m in the construction phase.
An estimated 80% of construction spend has been with local businesses, with a projected £1.31bn injection into the SME sector.
Projects have also often resulted in an increased market for businesses located in or near the LIFT developments.
These include private and third sector providers of health services, pharmacies, cafés and other local retail and lifestylebusinesses.
As well as employment created during the construction phase, LIFT developments accommodate a significant number of jobs.
Many LIFT developments are in areas where there are few other employers and will often be the major source of local employment. While comprehensive employment information is not available for all LIFT projects, using ratios derived from case studies, it is estimated that LIFT project tenants across the programme as a whole could provide over 30,000 jobs in the buildings.
The achievements of LIFT have only been possible due to the public/private partnerships that deliver the programme.
Purchasing power parity (PPP) has proved to be a model of development, attracting competitive funding markets, while responding to the challenges of increased integration, efficiency and sustainability, as well as delivering a range of social, economic and health outcomes.
In future, an increase in the integrated use of the estate across the public sector is likely to require more innovative approaches to funding.
LIFT is a proven and innovative approach to funding a healthcare infrastructure programme and PF2, the Government's new approach to PPP, contains many of the characteristics (including co-investment by public and private sectors) that we've worked with in LIFT over the past 10 years.
The present financial environment means that we all need to work smarter and be more innovative.
I believe we can only do this by working in partnership with public and private sector organisations and embracing the skills and experience offered by each.
Dr Sue O'Connell is chief executive of LIFT
