Making sure buildings and facilities support better care for local people
Our role in planning capital investment
We are responsible for making sure the right services are available in the right places for our population. To do this well, we need strong planning and clear rules for how we use capital funding.
As an Integrated Care Board (ICB), we receive a small capital allocation of around £20 million in 2026 to 2027. This money will be used only for ICB priorities and to improve health outcomes in neighbourhoods.
How we support providers with estates development
Providers may ask for our support when they want to develop or improve their buildings or estates. We will support proposals in principle when they:
- show clear value for local people
- align with the aims of the Central East Strategic Commissioning Plan
- have a clear and sustainable revenue plan.
We will not take on costs that do not add measurable value for our population. Providers remain responsible for funding and managing their own capital developments. We will help them work with wider partners, but they must be confident they can deliver and sustain the scheme.
Capital investment
Major capital investment is being progressed through an established pipeline of schemes reflecting prior decisions and existing commitments. These programmes will continue to advance in line with agreed approvals, confirmed funding arrangements, and relevant national requirements
Limited discretionary capital
Our discretionary capital is very limited. This means we must be highly selective about future investment.
Capital funding must directly support:
- our care model
- neighbourhood delivery
- better outcomes for our population.
Large, hospital‑based schemes alone will not deliver the shift we need towards prevention, proactive care, and care closer to home.
Building a stronger community capital pipeline
Over the next five years, we will work with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to build a stronger pipeline of community‑based capital schemes. These will support neighbourhood health and integrated care.
We will work with a wide range of partners, including:
- primary care
- community health services
- mental health providers
- voluntary and community organisations
- local authorities.
Together, we will identify opportunities where capital investment can improve access, coordination, and reduce unnecessary use of services.
Targeting community capital investment
We will prioritise practical, scalable community infrastructure that enables:
- prevention, early help, and proactive outreach
- care coordination for people with complex needs
- services delivered closer to home and outside hospital settings
- better use of digital tools and flexible space
- How we will assess capital proposals
We will take a collaborative and phased approach. Providers will be supported to develop schemes that are deliverable, affordable and aligned with system priorities.
Proposals will be assessed on:
- their contribution to better outcomes
- their impact on reducing unnecessary utilisation
- their long‑term sustainability
- their readiness to proceed
Strengthening capital planning for the future
By building a stronger pipeline of community‑focused schemes, we will ensure future capital investment is:
- better balanced
- more aligned with neighbourhood delivery
- more effective in supporting the shift in care our population needs.
This approach will help us make the best use of limited capital resources and support long‑term improvements in health and care.