Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the total value of unused NHS estate per region.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England collects data on the potential value of surplus land on a national, not regional, basis.

Quarter 4 of the National Health Service’s 2023/24 annual report on surplus land showed that 128 plots of land were surplus, with the landowner actively seeking to dispose of the plot, whilst 199 plots were classified as potentially surplus, meaning the plot could be declared surplus by the landowner subject to identified issues or constraints being resolved. The estimated sales receipt for surplus or potentially surplus land stands at £830 million, but the investment required to unlock this potential would be £1.8 billion. Further details on NHS surplus land are available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-surplus-land/quarter-4-2023-24.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 October 2024 to Question 8599 for the information held on the cost of unoccupied whole sites. NHS England’s definition of unoccupied sites covers empty spaces, those not in use, and those closed awaiting disposal, and includes hospitals, health centres, mental health hubs, stores and warehouses, and administrative buildings.

Found: Layla Moran (Chair); Danny Beales; Ben Coleman; Dr Beccy Cooper; Deirdre Costigan; Jen Craft; Josh Fenton-Glynn

Submit Evidence (by 4 Feb 2025)

The Committee is undertaking an inquiry into community mental health services. The inquiry will examine what good looks like from the perspective of service users and their families/carers. The Committee would like the inquiry to shine a light on case studies of innovative practice and high-quality care across the country, and to undertake meaningful and impactful engagement with people accessing these services.