£85m Wiltshire NHS LIFT project flatlines

The £85m Wiltshire and Swindon NHS LIFT project has been abandoned due to cost pressures and a lack of schemes, leaving the shortlist of three consortia empty-handed.

In a statement, Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) said the LIFT model was not the best way of funding building in Wiltshire.

The three bidders, selected in November 2005, were: First Health Solutions with Kier Western Investors in Health - Mill Group/Willmott Dixon and LIFT Investments - Midas/Equion FM.

Among other reasons, the PCT blamed a lack of schemes from the PCTs and other partners and the withdrawal of Wiltshire County Council. It also said its financial position meant it required immediate savings and not in 13 years' time, as would happen under LIFT.

One bidder said: "We've known for three months that it wasn't going ahead. It got to the pre-qualification stage only, but it could have gone a lot further so we are grateful it didn't."

CJ understands there will be no compensation to the bidders. The Wiltshire scheme is the second of the eight Wave Four LIFT projects to be abandoned the £120m Kent scheme was withdrawn in August 2006.