Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing NHS properties to be disposed of at a rate below market value for (a) housing and (b) other projects aimed to support the local community.

When disposing of surplus healthcare assets, all such sites are expected to be advertised to public sector bodies before wider marketing activity commences. In considering whether such sites are indeed surplus to requirements, the relevant integrated care board or National Health Service provider would need to consider whether there is a viable future healthcare related use and the level and availability of investment required to achieve this outcome.

If there is no economically viable expression of interest from another public sector body, then it is up to the property owner to determine the most appropriate marketing strategy to deliver best value from the sale in accordance with requirements set out in HM Treasury guidance on Managing Public Money.

Whilst most surplus NHS sites are sold for housing in line with local planning policies, prospective purchasers will make individual assessments regarding each site. All funds generated from the sale of healthcare assets are reinvested in the NHS.