Across the UK, nearly three million adults are currently out of work due to ill health. This is not just a public health concern but threatens to undermine regional economic growth, says Terry Stocks, director of Property and Healthcare lead UK&I at AtkinsRéalis. He explains how strategic investment in healthcare estates can improve wellbeing, regenerate communities, and drive long-term prosperity.
The productivity loss alone costs the UK economy an estimated £264 bn annually, impacting national output by as much as 10 per cent. But behind these numbers are real people, real communities, and real opportunities for change. If we are to reverse this trend, we must rethink how we deliver healthcare not just as a service, but as a strategic investment in regional growth.
The buildings within our healthcare estates including our hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, and community health hubs, are more than bricks and mortar. They are the physical infrastructure of health and wellbeing. When designed and deployed strategically, they can become powerful engines for economic regeneration, social cohesion, and improved public health.
The NHS's 10 year plan sets out a transformative vision: shifting care from hospitals to communities, moving from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, and embracing digital innovation. These goals may be ambitious, but they are also achievable if we invest in the right infrastructure.
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