MH&A’s Post

Back in 2019 when the then Government announced it would deliver ‘40 new hospitals by 2030', there was a degree of cynicism about how realistic the plan was, and whether many of the projects could really be classified as new builds. A leaked government 'playbook' - reported by Health Service Journal in 2021 - on how to describe the projects added to the concern. Over time, that cynicism has understandably increased and yesterday we saw what felt inevitable for many months - that the New Hospital Programme would need to be reset. The upshot from Wes Streeting's announcement to Parliament yesterday is that the remaining schemes in the programme that were waiting for the go ahead will be allocated to one of three 'wave' groups: ✔️ Wave 1 schemes are expected to begin construction between 2025 and 2030. These schemes include hospitals constructed primarily using RAAC, and have been prioritised as patient and staff safety is paramount. ✔️ Wave 2 schemes are expected to start between 2030 and 2035. ✔️ Wave 3 schemes are expected to start between 2035 and 2039. 📆 On the one hand, the revised timetable feels more realistic and credible and the government will now be held to account for delivering against it. We should also remember that it provided extra capital investment in the last #Budget But on the other hand, it cannot be underestimated how much of a blow this is to patients, NHS staff and those leaders who have had their projects delayed by years. They have to continue to make do in very difficult conditions. At NHS Confederation we've been hearing from many members over the last 24 hours who are deeply disappointed about the outcome. Their concerns fall into three categories: 1️⃣ Ongoing risks to patient safety. 2️⃣ The negative impact this will have on reducing waiting lists and improving productivity. 3️⃣ The ongoing costs of maintaining old buildings. One member says the delay will add up to £150m to the cost of their new hospital as they will have more years of propping up an old building. As Lord Darzi said in his government review of the #NHS , the NHS has been starved of capital in the last decade, with £37 billion of under-investment. We are left with many hospitals that have leaking pipes and collapsed roofs, and that's not to mention the huge impact on mental health, community and primary care estates. So, while the reset of the NHP was much needed, this is a huge setback to the sector and will have significant consequences across the country. It also again shows that our current approach to allocating scarce capital investment is grossly inefficient and in need of reform. To help restore the public and NHS staff confidence that will be damaged by this, the government needs to stick to the revised timetable and deliver on its commitments. NHS Confederation Acute Care Director Rory Deighton has been making these points on behalf of our members in the national media today, including on BBC News this morning.

🚧 Exciting milestone for the new Melton Hospital! 🚧  Site preparation works for the new hospital, delivered as a Public Private Partnership, will begin shortly, marking a major step toward bringing essential healthcare infrastructure to Melbourne’s fast-growing outer west.    As Victoria’s first fully electric hospital, the new Melton Hospital will provide critical services, including 24-hour emergency care, maternity and neonatal support, intensive care, mental health services, and more. The new hospital will improve accessibility to health services and enhance outcomes for the people of Melton and the broader region.     AECOM has proudly supported the Victorian Health Building Authority and Western Health from the master plan and feasibility stage, through to providing technical advisory services to the state in its Public Private Partnership procurement. We are thrilled to continue in the state advisor role supporting this transformative project as it progresses into the delivery phase, ensuring it meets the healthcare needs of Melbourne’s growing population.    Together, we are playing a role in delivering a world-class hospital for the Melton and outer west communities.  #HealthInfrastructure #MeltonHospital #AECOM #EngineeringExcellence #PublicHealth

Significant savings can be achieved in the NHS by reassessing exactly how many staff are needed. In one hospital trust in the Midlands, we reviewed job plans and clinical rotas for the Emergency Department (ED), Acute Medicine and Critical Care. By applying a more consistent approach to mirror what was happening in other departments, we helped the Trust to cut staffing costs significantly. We then reduced costs further in ED by introducing a new rate card for agency staff and finding more affordable suppliers. It’s this sort of expertise which enables the Kingsgate team to help NHS organisations meet the call for greater productivity. #NHS #productivity #costimprovement

https://lnkd.in/eMfmnmUg The New Hospital Programme (NHP) under this government promises to correct the mistakes of the past by delivering this project within the budget and time frames. This is the type of projects I would like to contribute to as the NHP could really make a difference in our communities by relieving the pressure on the NHS. What do you think ?

Great to see the NHS confirming the locations of two new potential sites for brand new hospitals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary, schemes being delivered the New Hospital Programme. Ramboll are proud to have supported the team at Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme and their partners to have reached this significant milestone. The proposed site for the replacement of Royal Preston Hospital is land near to the end of the M65 West. The proposed site for the replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary is in close proximity to Lancaster University. Read the full announcement here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eG_rg4yZ #ramboll #healthcare #newhospitalprogramme #LancashireandSouthCumbria

💻 BLOG | With NHS Trusts across the UK are facing increasing costs due to facility repairs. Karl Cundill Joint Managing Director of LitmusFM breaks down how Facility Managers can tackle these issues whilst remaining within available budgets. Read now: https://lnkd.in/eMvZrcpF  #facilitiesmanagement #nhs #managementconsultancy 

Over 2,000 hospital buildings older than the NHS England, new research reveals New research has shown over 2,000 hospital buildings across England were built before the NHS was established in 1948, Building Better Healthcare reached out to the Trusts with the highest number of these buildings in its estates. The research found that The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London has the highest proportion of outdated buildings in the county. Followed by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust then Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. To read more, follow the link to the Building Better Healthcare article  #NHS #UKhospitals #design&build #construction

😱 Can you believe this is a modular facility? Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is becoming increasingly adopted in the NHS, thanks to the enhanced speed of delivery it can offer. But did you know that modular facilities can also be procured via flexible financial solutions? Take a look at the work we did alongside modular specialists McAvoy, where we implemented the finance solution for 2 no. 48-bed ward facilities for Good Hope Hospital and Heartlands Hospital, part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gViN-uMC If you’re wondering what a modular facility *really* looks like… scroll no further👇 #modularconstruction #healthcareconstruction #procurement

The Kingsgate team have been commissioned to undertake a major piece of work in the Midlands. The local integrated care system is under close scrutiny by NHS England as one of the most financially challenged in the country. Our involvement is because of our experience and expertise in this field. We’re fully hands-on, analysing different budgets and ways of working, to identify opportunities to reduce costs and ease the pressure. We’re focusing on productivity across the system, including in medical activity, workforce planning – and continuing healthcare, where the area is among the worst-performing in England. #NHS #productivity #costimprovement

In all of these hospitals and many more, doctors, nurses and other members of staff spend quite a lot of time and effort working against their dilapidated buildings to still deliver the standard of care patients need. It doesn’t have to be this way - modern, well designed, well maintained hospitals support the efficient delivery of high quality care. Productivity in the acute sector will not improve without significant capital investment. Another funding model must be found. https://lnkd.in/eWnVa6FM