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 The LIFT Council secures cross-party support for LIFT

 

We are operating in uncertain times and nowhere is this more acute than in public services. Swingeing cuts are forecast for a raft of government departments and George Osborne is only half-joking when he says that, if the Conservatives win the next general election, he will soon become Britain’s most unpopular man.

 

All the more remarkable then that LIFT, a low profile but thus far enormously successful public-private partnership, has secured cross-party and hugely enthusiastic political support; cemented at The LIFT Council’s annual reception on 2nd November when Mike O’Brien MP (Labour Health Minister), Mark Simmonds MP (his Conservative Shadow) and Norman Lamb MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary) all pledged their support.

 

The reception was hosted by former Labour Party Chair the Rt Hon Ian McCartney MP, who said in his address:

 

“To all in LIFT, thank you and keep up the good work and I would hope in the years to come that the LIFT model could be extended to transform public services even further.”

Ian McCartney enjoys a very close relationship with the Wigan LIFT Company (LIFTCo) and despite standing down at the next general election will remain supportive of all the work that has been done there.

 

Keynote speaker on the evening was Health Minister Mike O’Brien. O’Brien, like Health Ministers before him, championed the role that LIFT plays and also endorsed the Council’s commercial services offer which was formally launched earlier that day. The offer will assist LIFTCos adapt to the changing needs of the local healthcare economy and further boost their ability to deliver high quality facilities.

 

O’Brien said:

 

“I welcome the vital role the LIFT Council plays in the development of the LIFT programme, which remains a continuing commitment of this Government. The NHS needs this strong partnership and the LIFT Council’s new Commercial Directorate has an essential remit in generating new opportunities and supporting LIFT companies in achieving greater value-for-money for the public.”

 

The LIFT Council’s work with the Conservatives has also reassured the opposition that LIFT is a scheme that they should maintain and indeed expand were they to win office. Mark Simmonds went as far as saying:

 

“There is no better example of private and public sectors working in harmony, working hand in hand for the benefit of patients, than the LIFT scheme. A future Conservative government will continue the LIFT scheme. We do think it’s had a significant impact in many areas of the country.”

 

And to complete the picture Norman Lamb MP, whose North Norfolk constituency is covered by Norfolk LIFTCo, made clear that his party believes even more could be done with LIFT given its potential:

 

“I am an enthusiastic supporter of LIFT. This is a perfect example of the value of partnership between public and private sectors. The public sector can benefit enormously from the injection of private sector skills and know-how. At a time when public finances are coming under such strain it is more important than ever that we innovate so as to maximise the value we get from public spending. This with depend on engaging with the private sector through schemes such as LIFT. We need to spread the word about LIFT. Too many areas are not benefiting and the potential to involve local government as well as the NHS is enormous.”

For those in the LIFT community this show of support means they can be confident that as we move towards and beyond a general election, one that could see only the second administration change in 31 years, that LIFT is safe no matter what the outcome.

 Chris Whitehouse

Chair, The LIFT Council

 

 

Service Offer

The LIFT Council workshop on Monday 2nd November was a great success and a good opportunity to learn more about our service offer, which is supported by the Department of Health.

We are now offering all LIFTCos the chance to benefit from our unique service offer. 

If you would like to be involved, please email janine.williams-silvera@theliftcouncil.org.uk.

 

Message from the Chair of The LIFT Council

The LIFT Council, the representative body for private sector partners in LIFT schemes, currently comprises more than 95% of the private sector investors in LIFT in England.

Our role is to provide private sector investors in LIFT with a platform for debate and decision-making on all issues relating to LIFT.

The LIFT model is a unique partnership between local health services and the Department of Health, who jointly own 40% of the LIFT venture, and private sector equity investors, who own 60%. It has proven an invaluable tool in delivering over 200 GP surgeries, worth around £1.8 billion over the last five years.

LIFT has been incredibly successful as a procurement route for new facilities, not only in primary healthcare, but also in areas such as leisure and social care. This is because it provides local partners with a more affordable and faster route for procurement, while allowing schemes to be built around local circumstances and local needs.

We very much welcome the Government’s direction of travel to encourage a growing market for private sector investors, as demonstrated again in the Darzi Review. Independent and private sector investors taking part as partners in the delivery of public services is an ideal way of increasing the much needed investment in those areas.

Chris Whitehouse

Chair, The LIFT Council