title: Costs and benefits of private finance initiative schemes.
abstract: The private finance initiative (PFI) is the biggest building programme in the history of the NHS. It aims to raise the quality of health care facilities by utilising the skills and expertise of companies in the private sector. This article outlines what PFI involves, how it works and the benefits to the NHS in raising the quality of health care facilities.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham New Hospitals Project, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gittoes
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trim
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005381:Financing, Organized; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D017149:Private Sector; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom