HEALTHCARE
Revised National Hospital Programme should boost market confidence
The acute sector is active, although it lacks the funding required to deliver at pace. Trusts are wrestling with ageing estates, the push for net zero, the impact of AI, political pressures and uncertainty, and pushback of the spending review, to name but a few challenges. However, the NHS and the wider health economy are resilient and there remains optimism.
Many schemes within the National Hospital Programme have moved to the right due to the prioritisation of RACC and, although disappointing for many Trusts, not unexpected. On a positive note, the current programme is more realistic and ultimately deliverable, and funding envelopes more commensurate with what is required. This should give the market confidence and promote better engagement.
It remains to be seen whether all Trusts will be able to meet the revised programme. Many Trusts, particularly in Waves 1 and 2, are starting from very different places and business case timelines will be a push for some. It is also hoped there is a commitment to funding the entire programme given the span over general elections and potential change in government.
We are seeing an interest in private financing options/feasibility, although in the early stages and there remains much to resolve. It is an interesting development perhaps fuelled by the change in government and its overarching financial position. If workable, this has the potential to ignite activity and delivery.
There remains the need for Trusts to understand the condition of their estates in order to prioritise spend and inform future capital plans. The sector must standardise the way this data is captured and to ensure the data captured has a purpose. Some headway is being made into this but there remains much to do.
LINCOLNSHIRE/YORKSHIRE, UK
Hospital roof improvement plan
The Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust serves a local population of more than 450,000 people and provides inpatient, day care and outpatient services.
RLB’s building surveyors were appointed to conduct a comprehensive inspection and thermal analysis of the roofs of the Trust’s three hospitals in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole, as well as other buildings, to support its journey to net zero.
