Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will carry out a national survey to help identify potential spare capacity in NHS hospital buildings; if she will publish a list of NHS hospital buildings with potential spare capacity; and if she will provide guidance to NHS trusts to help ensure that hospital facilities are effectively utilised.

Individual National Health Service trusts are responsible for the utilisation of their estate. The Government has been clear that it expects NHS organisations to use existing capital budgets and assets to maximum effect.

The NHS publishes the annual Estates Returns Information Collection, which contains detailed information on NHS estates. This includes multiple metrics on how space is utilised, including non-clinical space, empty floor areas, and underused floor areas. Individual NHS trusts are responsible for providing the data for the Estates Returns Information Collection and ensuring the accuracy of their returns.

Departmental officials continue to work closely with NHS England and NHS Property companies to identify any additional policy enablers which may support further improvement in utilisation, this includes the development of integrated care system level infrastructure strategies in 2024.