After the Corona virus pandemic caused the collapse of healthcare as we know it, the UK government has remained under scrutiny for failure to recognise the importance of continuous investment into healthcare infrastructure.

In 2020, the issue reached headline news after the Conservative Government unveiled their new Hospital Programme confirming their manifesto commitment to oversee the construction of over 30 NHS hospital buildings by 2030.

The complexity and time constraints of these hospital construction projects is undeniable. However, an often – overlooked challenge faced by the industry is the pressure to adapt to advancements present in the modern world. With the healthcare sector experiencing a digital takeover, building designs must advance to maintain effective care for patients and their families. This blog explores the evolving patterns in hospital construction that are progressively changing our healthcare systems.

Constructing Positive Healthcare Environments

To create welcoming environments that support positive mental attitudes for those undergoing medical treatments, healthcare construction must distance from the traditional brightly lit, stuffy surroundings, and move towards soft lighting and cozy design interior. Research suggests that hospital spaces impact patient satisfaction, with a correlation between natural lighting, improved sleep and quicker recovery times.

A noteworthy example of this is the Maggie' Centre Barts Cancer Center in London, which maximised colourful interior and accessible green space to improve the hospital experience for visitors.

Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Goals

With the current built environment contributing to approximately 40 percent of annual carbon emissions, healthcare buildings are granted no exception to striving towards more sustainable options.

Collaborating with healthcare and sustainability partners, the NHS published their Net Zero Building Standard Report in February 2023. This report included plans to standardise the hospital design and implement modular methods to speed up construction work, due to increased demand for healthcare buildings.

The Future Of Digital Healthcare

The digital transformation of many public services, including the healthcare sector, offers more opportunity for long - term objectives and improved digital infrastructure.

Accommodating for this increasingly digitalised space, the NHS have also outlined their strategy to digitise services further, including enabling access to electronic patient health records, presently only offered by 45 percent of social care providers. Practises like this give patients wider control over their data, and facilitate easier access to private information.

Financial Challenges Amid Labour Government Response

Evidently, healthcare construction improvements cannot be successful without appropriate government funding. The newly appointed Labour Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to honour The Conservative Government Hospital Programme, but has suggested there may be delays due to funding. In a recent review, The Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the Hospital Rebuilding Programme was "unfunded and entirely fictional".'

The challenge now for Keir Starmer's Government is to ensure the Hospital Programme remains on track, keeping sustainable practises and patient well - being at the forefront of future healthcare decisions.