7. EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY
7.1.5 What is the time trend of capital investment
and maintenance in the NHS? How will the DH avoid depreciation
of public assets if maintenance is reduced as the fiscal crisis
bites? (Q84)
Answer
1. Figure 84 shows the trend of investment
and maintenance (using depreciation as the standard indicator
for the latter) from 2004-05 to 2008-09 (based on provisional
outturn data for 2008-09). This shows that the level of total
expenditure over and above depreciation has increased from £372 million
in 2005-06 to £1,740 million in 2008-09.
2. NHS organisations are locally responsible
for the provision of their facilities including their maintenance.
This includes taking decisions on the levels of new investment,
disposal and maintenance that best support the delivery of high-quality
clinical services and patient environments within available funding
levels.
3. The quality of the patient environment
is measured through surveys, such as the In-patient Survey, and
the Patient Environment Action Team. A poor quality estate can
adversely affect patient care and is therefore considered by the
Care Quality Commission as part of the regulation.
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