The Department of Health was forced to provide a £1.5bn bailout fund to NHS Trusts with significant PFI projects because "…the trusts' plans are not viable without some level of central support" (NAO, 2012). More trusts have since accessed this fund, particularly those engaged in mergers. On this basis, the £1.5bn allocation will be spent by 2027, well before many NHS PFI projects conclude. NHS trusts are likely to require a further £1.5bn in additional support for PFI projects over the next 20 years.