Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of NHS trusts do not have buildings insurance cover in excess of £5 million.

All National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts in England are members of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Property Expenses Scheme (PES). PES covers losses for material damage to buildings and contents from a variety of causes, including fire, theft and water damage, valued at up to £1 million per claim.

There is a general prohibition on NHS trusts entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers therefore they will normally self-insure any losses above the £1 million limit.

NHS foundation trusts may enter into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers for any risks not covered by the scheme, and will consider whether to do so in accordance with their individual standing financial instructions.