The NHS is facing a “monumental” challenge to ensure its hospitals are fit for purpose as well as driving down carbon emissions and addressing a backlog of maintenance issues.
Innovation and speed are key to delivering efficient and adaptable buildings that meet the needs of patients and staff.
Anastasia Chrysafi, health strategic framework manager for construction giants Willmott Dixon, says the NHS is in an unprecedented situation with high-risk backlog maintenance costs being reported by more than 80 per cent of all Trusts, which must also prioritise meeting net zero targets.
At the same time, clinical service provision must remain accessible, driving a need to provide upgrades and refurbishment in live environments.
She said: “The challenges facing healthcare are huge; the need to improve efficiency, address backlog maintenance, decarbonise estates and meet net zero targets are just the start.
“When you factor in healthcare buildings that are fit for purpose, supporting both patient treatment and recovery as well as our NHS workforce, it’s clear the task is monumental.”
Willmott Dixon is among the suppliers working within the ProCure23 framework to help address this. The framework provides quick access to an NHS capital projects team, which understands the operational pressures of the health service.
This sees companies like Willmott Dixon work closely with NHS Trusts to gain detailed feedback from patients, carers and staff at elective surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres to inform development of new facilities.
“The framework allows partners to work together and develop efficient processes and solutions, such as repeatable rooms and standard components.
“These alone have saved the NHS millions so far, as well as tackling how it responds quickly to surge hub requirements and winter bed pressures.
Willmott Dixon has completed more than 100 healthcare construction projects across England and Wales in the past decade. As well as new builds, the company is also accomplished in refurbishment and upgrades in live environments on acute, mental health and community care facilities.
Anastasia said: “Speed of delivery is essential to deliver healthcare facilities as promptly as possible, without compromising quality.”
For further information about Willmott Dixon’s projects within the healthcare sector, visit willmottdixon.co.uk
