FEATURE ARTICLES

The NHS faces unprecedented pressures from spikes in winter demand and soaring waiting lists. In response, the government confirmed an investment into hundreds of new Neighbourhood Health Centres to deliver services across the country. Designed to expand access to routine, preventative and early-intervention care by bringing facilities closer to people’s homes, they have committed to building 250 centres by the end of the decade, with 120 expected to be operational by 2030. Meeting this ambition requires a construction approach that is fast, flexible and cost efficient, writes Premier Modular CEO David Harris.

With modern healthcare systems experiencing growing patient demand, there is increasing pressure to balance operational efficiency with strategic priorities. Bradley Watson, portering and post manager, estates and facilities, at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, examines the role of NHS portering teams in facilitating this, focusing on patient transfers, the interplay between operational metrics, providing invaluable insights into the department’s efficiencies, and hospital-wide patient flow imperatives. He highlights the challenges that come with these and explores whether alternative or joint metrics could provide a more unified measure of success.

Chris King, head of Open Space at NHS Property Services, explains how the digital platform is helping the NHS understand, manage and optimise its estate, and why flexible, bookable space is becoming central to the future of healthcare delivery. HEJ spoke exclusively with him about how Open Space is supporting the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, sustainability ambitions, and creating more room for patient care.

Tight budgets, compressed timelines and rising performance expectations are putting growing pressure on design teams. Ian Morgan, sales manager for OEM and Trade at ICS Cool Energy, explains how accredited cooling systems and closer manufacturer partnerships can help ensure reliability and efficiency from concept through to commissioning.

BS7671, the UK low-voltage wiring regulations, updates in April 2026 with Amendment 4. Guardian’s Matthew Gilmore explains Section 710 for medical locations, including clearer guidance, new information, and the first Equipotential Bonding Busbar inspection template.

Marking both the completion of the Falkland Islands’ first extra care facility and ONE Creative environments’ 50th anniversary, Tussac House represents a significant milestone in healthcare design. Craig Walding, director at ONE Creative environments, reflects on the challenges, innovations and collaborations that shaped the project.

From biophilic design and acoustics to infection control and wayfinding, flooring has a significant influence on the healthcare experience. Donna Hannaway, head of marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems, explores how flooring design can support wellbeing and positive patient outcomes.

At Healthcare Estates 2025, HEJ’s editor Niamh Marriott spoke with the team from RFL Property Services, who were highly commended for the 2025 Consultancy of the Year award. Andrew Panniker, Managing director; Laura Wilkes, Programme manager, and Darryn Kerr, NHP Commission lead, discussed their award-winning projects, innovation in healthcare estates, and the challenges and opportunities facing the NHS estate workforce.

Power Continuity have a track record supporting the NHS hospital Trusts with UPS systems, emergency back up diesel generators fully installed, as well as rapid deployments of our bespoke UPS containers. NHS data centres and NHS IT hubs require no break power protection 24-7. Without clean reliable power, hospital operations grind to a halt and lives are put at risk.

From referral and booking to discharge and recovery, artificial intelligence (AI) is helping NHS Trusts create safer, more efficient and connected patient journeys. John Clarke, head of Client Solutions – Health at Netcall, explores the practical ways AI and automation are improving care.

Effective communication is key to safe, efficient hospital operations – yet some estates and facilities teams are still relying on fragmented, outdated systems. Kevin Brown, CEO and co-founder of BlueSky Wireless, explores how integrated communication platforms can improve coordination, strengthen compliance, and improve response across healthcare estates.

Hospitals are under growing pressure to balance patient comfort with sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Jonas Fribo-Søndergaard, Sustainability expert at Silentia, explores how reusable privacy screens offer a hygienic, eco-friendly alternative to traditional curtains, improving both infection control and patient dignity. By reducing operational costs and supporting efficient workflows, these types of equipment changes helps healthcare facilities create safer, cleaner, and more sustainable care environments.

Healthcare organisations are using digital technologies to create more efficient, sustainable, and patient-focused facilities. Dr Janina Beilner, Senior VP for Healthcare at Siemens, and lecturer in AI and Digitalisation in Healthcare at Friedrich-Alexander University, Nürnberg, in Germany, argues that integrating AI, digital twins, and smart infrastructure is essential for transforming hospitals into resilient, intelligent environments that optimise both operational efficiency and patient care.

With the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan promising radical change to bolster the NHS for generations to come, designing for healthcare needs to reflect a new form of service delivery. Mark Dando, director of cost management at consultancy Pick Everard, explores how high street locations could be the key to unlocking convenience and ease of access for patients.

As energy costs continue to surge and sustainability pressures mount, healthcare estates are looking at on-site solar power to stabilise budgets and support Net Zero goals. Damian Baker, founder and Managing director at RenEnergy, explores how solar PV can help healthcare providers cut emissions, reduce operating costs, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.

With the NHS driving toward Net Zero, AE Eugene Conroy highlights common power-related issues across ageing estates and explains why resilient, future-ready electrical infrastructure is essential.

Goodwater conducted an evaluation of monochloramine disinfection across two oncology hospitals which had persistent Legionella pneumophila contamination. The study introduced a controlled dosing system.

Connected laundry systems are becoming the cornerstone of modern healthcare estates, supporting smarter operations, compliance and predictive maintenance. Electrolux’s Mick Christian explores why, as healthcare estates evolve, smart laundry is no longer a luxury, but an operational necessity

The Grenfell Tower tragedy reshaped approaches to building safety across the UK. Knauf’s Mandeep Bansal says healthcare estates face clear responsibilities: safety and performance must never be compromised.

A fully digital approach to verification is reshaping how critical ventilation systems are managed. Stephen Bartlett, director at Invigilatis, argues that digitised processes ensure consistent and clearer reporting, and looks at how AI will increasingly enhance benchmarking and predictive maintenance.