£102M GP Surgery refurb programme brings major opportunities

More than 1,000 GP surgeries across England are set to benefit from a significant £102M capital funding injection, as the UK Government launches the largest investment in primary care estates in over five years. The move is expected to enable 8.3 million additional patient appointments annually, through refurbishment, reconfiguration, and expansion of outdated NHS facilities.

For the construction and infrastructure sectors, this programme presents a wave of immediate and mid-term opportunities—from fit-outs and remodelling to full-scale refurbishment and M&E upgrades. Projects will begin from summer 2025, with delivery spread across the 2025–26 financial year.

The investment comes in response to longstanding challenges in primary care infrastructure. Many surgeries operate in premises over 30 years old—with some predating the NHS itself—lacking the capacity, configuration, and facilities to meet modern healthcare demands.

Key projects include:

• New clinical consultation rooms to expand capacity in high-demand areas.

• Conversion of underutilised spaces, such as office buildings, into clinical environments.

• Accessibility and compliance upgrades to improve patient experience.

• Interior and exterior refurbishments to create modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.

Examples already confirmed include the Prospect Medical Practice in Norwich, which will add clinical rooms to support nearly 7,000 patients, and Harden Health Centre in the Black Country, which will repurpose vacant offices into treatment areas.

Opportunities across the Supply Chain

The scale and scope of this capital programme make it a compelling opportunity for the UK’s construction supply chain, particularly in the following areas:

• Design and architecture firms specialising in clinical environments

• Main contractors and SME builders experienced in public sector or healthcare

• Modular construction and rapid deployment units for clinical expansion

• Interior specialists for waiting areas, consultation rooms, and treatment spaces

• Mechanical & electrical (M&E) providers for system modernisation

• Accessibility consultants and installers

With healthcare remaining a core focus of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, this investment also signals a broader shift—moving care delivery out of hospitals and into communities. As such, construction partners capable of adapting legacy buildings for modern medical use will be in high demand.

A Chance to Shape the Future of Healthcare Delivery

Lord Ara Darzi, whose independent review heavily influenced the programme, highlighted how outdated buildings are “barriers to delivering high-quality patient care.” The investment aims to reverse years of underfunding and support the NHS in delivering digital-ready, community-focused care environments.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting called the upgrades “simple fixes with transformative potential,” and a first step in broader NHS reform.

As care models evolve and demand for community-based treatment grows, construction will be at the heart of delivering healthcare transformation—not just in infrastructure, but in patient outcomes.

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