Authors state this data raise questions about why the UK is lagging so far behind other countries and concerns about what the implications might be for staff and patients. They add that, there is a clear need for a long-term capital settlement for the NHS in England – including a substantial funding increase – to address problems such as ageing estates and infrastructure, and to invest in new medical technology in the future.
Despite government announcements of new funding, authors estimate an extra £2.5bn would be required in 2019/20 to bring capital spending in England up to the average of comparable countries.