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posted by Rob Harrison, Partner, Bevan Brittan LLP

The interesting aspect of this is the potential involvement of the private sector and the on going role of LIFTCos. Suggestions have been made that a number of regional Joint Ventures may be set up in the future, thus allowing the injection of private sector expertise and access to private capital. On the other hand why couldn't NHS PS achieve the same results if adequately funded and resourced? However, the immediate task to hand, is the significant work load faced by NHS estate managers to not just complete the data returns but to ensure that all undocumented occupancies are now documented by way of robust lease arrangements - desirable for both NHS PS for the enforcement of rent but also for the occupiers to provide them with certainty of occupation. An ad doc approach to this task isn't desirable and the benefits of economies of scale need to be fully utilised by employing the skills and experts gained through other similar exercises (such as TCS and Equitable Access lease arrangements.)