Patients across England are set to benefit from faster access to care, more GP appointments and upgraded facilities following the publication of the government’s new 10 Year Capital Plan.
Backed by a record capital budget that will rise to £15 billion by 2029/30, the long-term strategy aims to reverse years of inconsistent investment and deliver a sustained programme of rebuilding, renewal and modernisation across the NHS estate.
The plan marks a shift away from short-term funding cycles, giving health leaders and system partners greater confidence to deliver large-scale projects, modernise infrastructure and improve patient outcomes.
Boost for primary care and local access
Investment in primary care forms a cornerstone of the plan. Nearly 800 GP surgery upgrades have already been funded, creating capacity for an estimated 9 million additional appointments. A further £200 million has now been committed to expand and modernise more practices.
The goal is clear: reduce pressure on hospitals by improving access to care closer to home, while making it easier for patients to secure timely GP appointments.
Alongside this, the government has confirmed it will deliver 250 Neighbourhood Health Centres. These hubs will bring together GPs, diagnostics and community services under one roof, offering a more integrated, convenient model of care.
Tackling NHS estate challenges
The plan directly addresses long-standing issues with the NHS estate. Ageing infrastructure has contributed to service disruption, with more than 4,100 incidents last year alone linked to problems such as leaking roofs, heating failures and electrical faults.
To address this, at least £6.75 billion will be invested over the next nine years to repair hospitals, replace unsafe buildings and reduce maintenance backlogs.
Hospitals affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) will also benefit from a dedicated £2 billion programme to remove the material and ensure safety for patients and staff.
Supporting staff with affordable housing
A notable feature of the plan is the proposed use of surplus NHS land to deliver affordable housing for healthcare workers. Nurses, porters, healthcare assistants and other staff will be able to rent homes near their workplaces, helping reduce commuting times and improve recruitment and retention in high-cost areas.
Digital transformation and innovation
Alongside physical infrastructure upgrades, the plan sets out a major push on digital transformation.
Investment will focus on:
- Enhancing the NHS App
- Introducing a Single Patient Record to reduce duplication and streamline care
- Replacing outdated IT systems that limit productivity
This is expected to free up staff time, improve care coordination and deliver a better patient experience.
In addition, £650 million will be invested in genomics over the next five years, alongside funding to strengthen cyber resilience, biosecurity and the new National Biosecurity Centre.
Faster project delivery and local control
To accelerate delivery, the government is loosening approval processes for NHS capital projects. Schemes worth up to £300 million will no longer require repeated Treasury approval, unless costs exceed £1 billion or project scope changes significantly.
Ownership of more NHS land and buildings will also be transferred from NHS Property Services to local organisations, giving systems greater flexibility to manage estates in line with local priorities.
These changes are intended to reduce bureaucracy, speed up decision-making and provide a clearer pipeline for construction and technology partners.
Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said:
"NHS patients - and the brilliant staff who care for them - deserve modern buildings, reliable equipment and services fit for the future.
“Too many NHS buildings are crumbling and outdated. This government is taking the long-term decisions needed to rebuild the health service.
“Our 10 Year Capital Plan backs that ambition with record investment and reforms that will help patients get faster appointments, better facilities, modern technology and more care closer to home for patients across the country."
Building on wider NHS recovery
The capital plan sits alongside broader NHS recovery efforts, supported by an additional £26 billion in funding. Recent progress includes a reduction in waiting lists by more than 400,000 since July 2024 and rising patient satisfaction with GP access, now at 76%.
With record levels of elective care being delivered and improvements in productivity and diagnosis times, the government hopes the plan will place the NHS on a more sustainable long-term footing.
Image credit: iStock
