A £29 million project to design, build, operate, finance and maintain the first tranche of primary health care buildings is underway in the Leicester City area. The Leicester Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) is part of a government initiative to supplement investment in primary and social care and community premises nationwide.

There are currently five schemes which make up the project – three operational and two under construction. The completed schemes are: St Peters Health Centre, a £6.6 million primary care building, housing a number of health and social care services, a pharmacy, cafe and meeting rooms for use by community groups; and Merridale Medical Centre – a £2.4 million one stop shop incorporating a broad range of community groups and the £6.7 million Westcotes Health Centre incorporating dental suits, a pharmacy, health and community services.