Rebuilding the NHS (Department of Health, 2007)
This report describes the government’s programme to modernise NHS buildings that are fit for purpose to deliver its priorities for better health care to:

• improve the patient environment and experience in terms of more single rooms and better designed hospitals
• provide modernising services - trusts have to reassess how they shape and configure their services and patient pathways, taking on board the provision of new IT, new equipment and new clinical areas
• improve access and offer better choice by delivering a whole new generation of facilities so patients have more control over when, where and how they are seen.

Department of Health estates and property management
Primary source of official guidance on NHS estate management and construction procurement.

Space for Health (Full launch due April 2010)
An information service for healthcare estates management professionals combining knowledge and expertise of Department of Health and partners in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Transforming Community Services (Department of Health, January 2009)
Contains the guiding principles for managing assets under the new organisational structure for the NHS that directs PCTs to become commissioners of healthcare services from providers under contract.

Developing an estate strategy: (2nd edition, 2005)
NHS guidance gives best practice advice. Available for purchase from HM stationary office.

Management of NHS assets in Scotland. Audit Scotland (January 2009)
Examines the way the health service strategically manages its £5 billion worth of land and buildings, vehicles, medical and IT equipment. Focus is on health service in Scotland but principles of effective management of health sector assets can be apply generally across UK.

Strategic Health Asset Planning and Evaluation (SHAPE)
The Department of Health web-based, planning software application aimed primarily at Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to inform and support delivery of service reconfiguration within a whole health economy.

NHS Estates and Facilities statistics
NHS Estates and Facilities Statistics from the annual Estates Return Information Collection (ERIC) return to the NHS. These are compulsory for NHS trusts and PCT in England. The site provides Estates Statistics reports dating back to 1999/2000.

Staff and Patient Environment Calibration Tool (ASPECT): Department of Health
A tool for evaluating the views of users on their experience of using NHS buildings and facilities.