Since the introduction of the PFI, if part of the NHS needs capital investment a contract is drawn up between the Trust and a consortium of bankers, builders and service contractors following a competitive tender.
The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is contracted to finance,design, build and then maintain the hospital over the length of the contract and provides soft facilities such as catering to hospitals.
PFI deals have financed £11.8 billion of hospital building across England. Over 31 years, these deals will cost the NHS £79 billion in repayments. The extent to which PFI drains money from the NHS into private companies means, in effect, the very fabric of NHS hospitals is being privatised.
Full Story: Patients 4 NHS, October 2018
