1.23 The 2000 NHS Plan expected LIFT to make a significant contribution against the following targets for investment in primary care services:
■ Up to £1 billion invested in primary care facilities to 2010;
■ Up to 3,000 family doctor's premises substantially refurbished or replaced by 2004; and
■ 500 one-stop primary care centres by 2004.
The number of LIFT premises anticipated by the end of 2004 was not specifically defined. Progress of LIFT has been slower than the Department initially expected and although 31 out of the 42 schemes completed negotiations by the end of 2004, only 4 buildings were actually open to patients. The Department has, however, delivered a large part of the 2004 targets through mechanisms other than LIFT. The future contribution of LIFT to improving the primary care estate is expected to be significant with approximately 50 new buildings opening in 2005. Partnerships for Health expect all 42 LIFT schemes to have reached financial close on initial schemes by summer 2005. The new 2004 NHS Improvement Plan expects that 50 per cent of the population will be served by LIFT buildings by 2008.