The Estates Safety Fund 2025–26 presents a major opportunity for GP practices to access critical funding for improving the safety and resilience of their premises
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on gov.uk
What is the Estates Safety Fund?
The Estates Safety Fund 2025–26 is a £750 million NHS capital funding initiative aimed at addressing serious infrastructure and building safety risks across NHS estates in England. It focuses on high-priority areas such as fire compliance, electrical and water systems, medical gas infrastructure, roofing, lift repairs and anti-ligature measures. The fund is designed to support both hospital settings and community-based healthcare buildings.
Does It Only Apply to Hospitals?
No – while hospitals may receive a significant share of the fund, community healthcare buildings are also eligible. Practice managers should not assume they are excluded simply because they are outside of a hospital setting.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Funding is available to NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and other NHS estate holders. Although a considerable portion of the fund targets acute and mental health hospitals, community facilities – such as GP surgeries, health centres, ambulance stations and clinics – are also eligible, particularly where critical safety risks have been identified. Buildings that are part of the NHS estate or under the management of community health trusts or ICS structures are considered eligible.
Why Practice Managers Need to Act Fast
Practice managers overseeing GP sites that are part of the NHS estate need to act quickly. If your premises are managed through a community trust or form part of an ICS’s capital portfolio, your site may qualify for upgrades funded by this initiative. This is especially relevant for practices with longstanding safety issues, such as outdated fire alarms, damaged roofs, or unsafe medical gas installations.
Actions Practices Should Take Now
To benefit from the Estates Safety Fund, practice managers should take the following steps:
Assess your building for safety-critical maintenance issues
Engage with your ICS estates team or NHS Trust contact to determine whether your site is on their capital planning radar
Document identified risks (e.g., fire hazards, failing infrastructure) and prepare a rationale showing how these improvements support patient and staff safety
Submit information early so it can be included in the ICS’s funding proposal and capital plan for 2025–26
With planning already underway for the 2025–26 funding round, GP practice managers should act now to ensure their premises are considered for vital safety improvements under the Estates Safety Fund.
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