New models of care driving future estate

Jonathan Turner, an associate partner and strategist in the health planning team at construction, property, and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall, considers a changing NHS estate, with expectations that, in future, more outpatient care will be delivered closer to patients’ homes, and the resulting development of a growing network of community ‘hubs’ – where many outpatient services can be provided in a multidisciplinary, multi-agency environment.

The financial pressure on the NHS increases year on year. With net expenditure rising from £78.9 billion in 2006/07 to £120.5 bn in 2016/17, and expenditure estimated to be in the region of £124.7 bn for 2017/18, rising to £126.3 bn for 2018/19, the costs keep mounting, while the infrastructure and health systems are starting to creak under the strain. 

In Summer 2018 a £20.5 billion budget settlement was announced for the NHS and the NHS Long Term Plan, which sets out how this will be spent over the next five years. The plan focuses on the population getting the best start in life, greater support for older people, improved digital health services, and improved out-of-hospital care, by supporting primary medical and community health services. With an ageing population, and an increase in long-term conditions, new models of care will need to drive the future design of health and social care facilities.