Ethan
Money List Winner
Totally agree with what you say, but, we went through far too long a period without serious investment which meant that it was too costly to do even simple lifecycle upgrades to the existing estate never mind rebuilding new hospitals etc. PFI was seen as a way round the problem. It only created a new problem. Focus on sensible, planned expenditure has to be the goal to provide facilities suitable for 2015 and beyond. PFI was a kneejerk reaction.
That said, our local hospital infrastructure was changed with the opening of a PFI hospital. If that hadn't happened, we'd still be going to old victorian sites for treatment.
PFI was also favoured by HMG because at that time the cost was off the balance sheet.