The new inquiry, launched today, comes after funding was announced for 250 ‘one stop shop' neighbourhood health centres. 

Health and Social Care Committee chair Layla Moran said: ‘A key pillar of the Government's plan for the NHS is to relocate more front-line services back into local communities, making them more accessible and convenient for everyone and taking pressure off hospitals. 

‘In this inquiry we're going to dig into one of the essential questions the Government must answer to make this vision a reality – where will those services physically go?  

‘We will take stock of the state of the NHS's local buildings. What is the scale of disrepair and demand for refurbishment? How many spare public buildings are there for services to relocate to and could they be better utilised and how many new builds are needed? 

‘As with any major change, we will look at how the different workforces that make up the NHS, as well as local communities, should be consulted in this process and given a role to shape how it happens. 

‘We will also examine how the Government will find the capital investment it will surely need – with the controversial history surrounding PFI and PF2, what lessons have the Government learnt in using private investment for health infrastructure?'