NHP is a long-term programme with at least eight of the current schemes now due to complete sometime during the 2030s, as part of what DHSC intends will be a rolling programme.80 One of NHP’s strategic objectives is to build national capability in planning and delivering new hospitals. This is to be achieved through a central team, the NHP team, whose functions include some previously performed in local NHS trusts with assistance from private-sector partners. It is normal for consultants to have a role to play in programmes such as NHP, where specific professional or technical expertise is required for certain activities.81 Typically a programme would aim to have a strong core team and bring in consultants to fill gaps at the margins or for short-duration tasks.82