MaST (Manchester, Salford and Trafford) is one of the largest and most ambitious LIFT projects in development, involving three primary care trusts, three local authorities and the North West ambulance service. It was set up in July 2004 to provide an accessible health service based around patients’ needs with integrated primary, community and social care services.

It was needed because the existing estate was not compatible with what was necessary for today’s health service, in that approximately 80% of the premises were below recommended size, fewer than 5% of GP services were close to a pharmacy or social services provision, more than half of GP surgeries were adapted from residential or retail buildings and few premises complied with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

John Laing delivers this LIFT project, like others elsewhere, through Primary Plus, its joint venture with the Bank of Scotland. Through ExcellCare it designed, constructed and financed 12 health centres, which between them provide GP surgeries, dentists, pharmacies and community services. Some also provide leisure, library, council and café facilities as well, with one even providing a minor operations suite.

This £75 million project is mainly financed under a 25 year period, with three of the centres extending to 30 years. John Laing Integrated Services provides hard facilities management.