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Although it might seem like summer is only round the corner, the NHS is already preparing for the annual surge in patient demand during the colder months with proactive capacity planning.
The winter season traditionally exacerbates existing challenges, leading to overcrowded facilities and extended waiting times. Compounding these operational hurdles are significant organisational changes, such as the dissolution of NHS England.
Organisational barriers
The government hopes that the dismantling of NHS England will help streamline operations and eliminate overlapping roles between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), potentially saving hundreds of millions of pounds. However, there are concerns about the disruptive impact of this decision on the NHS, particularly given the existing backlog of appointments and extended waiting times, especially as Trusts plan for upcoming winter pressures.
A smart solution
Amidst ongoing changes and upcoming pressures, offsite construction can offer a stable solution to address NHS capacity constraints. Unlike traditional construction methods, which are often time-consuming, costly and without immediate solution, offsite construction offers the security of a significantly reduced project timeline, enabling healthcare facilities to be expanded in a matter of months rather than years, which is particularly crucial ahead of peak winter demands.
In addition to reduced timelines, the controlled environment of offsite construction means that cost efficiency is much higher than traditional methods of construction. The controlled factory environment where the modules are manufactured optimises resource usage, with lean manufacturing techniques, which can lead to overall savings. In addition to cost savings, the controlled environment means that less energy is used and waste is reduced, all supporting ambitious NHS targets to reach net zero by 2040 – at Premier Modular, our factories are all zero waste to landfill and with net zero by 2035 targets, the low carbon production of our modules will support your need for a carbon neutral estate.
Utilising budgets
When contemplating infrastructure expansion, NHS administrators must navigate the financial implications of operational expenditure (OpEx) vs capital expenditure (CapEx). Permanent structures with significant upfront investments will often fall under CapEx and OpEx budgets encompass ongoing, day-to-day costs of running NHS services.
When looking to expand capacity, many aren’t aware that rental modular units are categorised as OpEx, enabling NHS Trusts to use them to stretch funds and deliver increased capacity during peak times. This offers more than just budget flexibility, as enhanced capacity can lead to improved patient throughput, which can be recognised in future budget allocations, leading to a larger source of funds and essentially enabling the rental facility to pay for itself.
With peaks and troughs throughout the calendar year, investing in a permanent facility might not always be the best use of NHS budgets, which is why temporary modular solutions can offer the solution. The flexibility of a rental building means that if it’s no longer needed, it can either be moved to an alternative location and fit out for another use or returned to Premier Modular to lease to new customers – fulfilling a circular economy.
As the NHS confronts the dual challenges of the upcoming heightened winter demand and evolving budgets and organisation changes, proactive capacity planning becomes paramount. Embracing alternative construction methods offers a pathway to rapid and cost-effective solutions that will support healthcare infrastructure, and enhance NHS resilience for quality care all year round.
For more information on how we can support your healthcare needs, find out more or get in touch.
