Welcome to the latest update from the Securing the Future Programme.
These updates for NHS partners will keep you informed of the Programme’s priorities, key actions and progress as we approach the end of the current arrangements and consider the next phase for the LIFT assets.
Outline Business Case Options Appraisal
Following approval of the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) by the Joint Investment Committee (JIC) in 2025, development of the Outline Business Case (OBC) has focused on the shortlisting and appraisal of options to address the expiry of core community care assets, which comprise a critical part of the NHS estate.
A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative options appraisal has been undertaken. Subject to completion of a series of assurance processes, including an independent Gateway review, the outcomes of this analysis and the recommended way forward will be presented to the DHSC JIC in November 2026 for consideration and agreement of the next steps for the Securing the Future (STF) Programme.
STF as a key enabler of CHP’s Integrated Business Plan
CHP’s Integrated Business Plan (IBP) was launched on 2 April, setting out the organisation’s plan of action in response to new national priorities and its ambition to shape the future care environment.
The STF Programme is central to the IBP’s strategic aims and objectives, providing a critical mechanism for enabling long-term stewardship of NHS assets. The programme also directly supports delivery of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and the Neighbourhood Health Programme.
Read: CHP Integrated Business Plan 2026-27 (PDF).
National shift to community healthcare aligns with STF Programme
On 26 March, the Government announced that 27 neighbourhood health centres will form part of the first wave of the Neighbourhood Rebuild Programme. This includes 16 LIFT schemes.
Read: An additional 11 LIFT schemes confirmed for the next phase of the NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild Programme (March 2026)
CHP published ‘Neighbourhood Health in Action’ on 9 April, a comprehensive overview of how LIFT estate is already delivering community-based health care in purpose-built buildings. The publication demonstrates the strength of the LIFT estate through case studies on multi-use spaces, investment in buildings, and increased patient throughput.
Read: Neighbourhood Health in Action (PDF)
The STF Programme aligns closely with this national direction, supporting the shift towards rebuilding and renewing NHS buildings to deliver community-based healthcare. By securing these assets for long-term future use, STF ensures that neighbourhood facilities are protected and well-positioned to support evolving models of care. This is reinforced by the recently published Neighbourhood Health Centre guidance for ICBs, with Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) buildings reaching contractual expiry over the coming years. This guidance includes clearly setting out assumptions on whether existing LIFT facilities are expected to be retained, upgraded, repurposed, replaced, or exited, and how this informs the overall neighbourhood estate strategy.
Where LIFT buildings are expected to continue to play a role in neighbourhood health delivery, proposals should set out how they will be adapted to support neighbourhood models of care and represent value for money. Where LIFT buildings are not assumed to be retained, ICBs should reflect this in their assessment of future estate need and investment requirements.
In developing neighbourhood health plans and NHC proposals, ICBs should explicitly consider the status and future role of any LIFT estate within their area.
Maximising existing estate led by Ministers
On 26 March, Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, and Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, sent a letter to all MPs as a call to action for NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild.
The letter, at its core, highlights the need to deliver value for money and make use of the NHS’ empty estate. This could include LIFT schemes (built under the last Labour government) and Community Diagnostic Centres, expanding them into Neighbourhood Health Centres. STF is completely aligned with this shift to community-focussed care by ensuring that the NHS’ existing estate remains in local ownership, ready for these initiatives.
Keeping you informed
As we progress with the Securing the Future Programme, we will keep you updated via this regular Bulletin. If you would like to reach out, please email: securingthefuture@communityhealthpartnerships.co.uk
Securing the Future Programme Overview
Securing the Future (STF) Programme is a national CHP led initiative, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), established to lead the approach to managing LIFT lease expiries across 308 primary and community care assets.
The Programme is developing a structured, coordinated and phased approach to LIFT lease expiry management, underpinned by a Programme Business Case aligned to HM Treasury Green Book guidance.
The Outline Business Case (OBC) is currently in development. This phase builds on and expands the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOC), approved in August 2025, by analysing and assessing potential options, identifying a preferred way forward, demonstrating value for money, and securing approval to proceed to the next stage.
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