Mind the Gap: Rethinking Resilience in NHS Estates
As healthcare professionals, suppliers, and—most importantly—patients, we witness the daily strain on the NHS. Alarmingly, four out of six key NHS performance indicators are declining, jeopardising patient safety and risk management, despite the dedicated efforts of the workforce who continue to provide care with limited resources.
The latest NHS Performance Statistics in England:
A Deteriorating NHS Estate Compounds These Pressures
These performance issues are further exacerbated by critical challenges in NHS infrastructure. Notably, 42% of the NHS estate was constructed before 1985, and 14% predates the establishment of the NHS itself. Recent reports reveal that the NHS estates repair bill is nearing ￡14 billion—a 19% increase—with running costs up 11% and the ‘high-risk’ repair bill up 16% to ￡2.74 billion.
Perhaps the most alarming statistic is that 56% of the NHS estate backlog is now classified as ‘critical risk.’
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The Impact of a Failing Estate on Patient Care
A deteriorating estate doesn’t just disrupt operational efficiency—it directly impacts patient care and safety. Outdated facilities can’t keep up with modern healthcare demands, leading to increased stress, patient dissatisfaction, and safety risks. Insufficient infrastructure compromises infection control measures and increases the likelihood of accidents, endangering both patients and staff.
From 2022 to 2023, over 5,000 infrastructure failures were reported within the NHS, excluding incidents where patient harm went unreported. This raises concerns about the true scale of the problem. What’s more, the frequency of these failures has, in some cases, desensitised both staff and the public, diminishing the perceived urgency and putting patient care at risk during critical moments.
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Capacity Compromises: A Short-Term Fix
To reduce waiting lists, many NHS sites have relied on mobile units, with some remaining on-site for as long as six years. However, this prolonged use strains their quality and effectiveness. While mobile solutions have their place as short-term fixes, they are a compromised solution unable to meet staff and patient experience for longer term demands.
On the other hand, permanent buildings require extensive planning, long construction timelines, and significant investment. While more permanent structures are essential—such as those outlined in the New Hospital Programme—this approach does not address the immediate needs of long wait times, maintenance backlogs, and urgent repairs, particularly in Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) buildings, where disruption to patient care is unavoidable.
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Bridging the Gap with On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions
In response to these challenges, Darwin Group has introduced On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions, designed to bridge the gap between short-term and long-term healthcare strategies.
This fresh approach combines the speed and flexibility of modular solutions with the durability of permanent facilities. On-Demand Solutions can be operational within weeks and remain on-site for as long as needed. Once the demand subsides, these solutions can either be repurposed for other services or removed entirely offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional infrastructure that often adds to the maintenance backlog or becomes underutilised.
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A Proactive Approach to Resilience
At Darwin Group, our commitment to On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions is rooted in close collaboration with the NHS and our customers. We believe it’s time to rethink the approach to NHS estates—not simply as a reactive response to immediate demands, but as a proactive strategy for building a sustainable and resilient future.
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1 个月I agree!