New Hospital Programme takes step forward

A prior information notice outlines the hospital programme, noting that individual builds may use modular units to speed up the construction time. The government has promised 40 new hospitals under the scheme by 2030, which is part of a package of investment worth an initial £3.7bn. There are a further eight schemes, which are under construction or awaiting final approval, taking the total to 48. The NHP is part of the five-year rolling investment programme, the Health Infrastructure Plan.

Some of the hospitals in the first phase of the NHP, such as the new Leeds General Infirmary (pictured) have been pressing ahead with preparatory work, including demolition, while others are now seeking planning permission.

A refreshed version of the hospital plan is due to be published later this year. It promises to include the strategy for new hospitals and upgrades; how the primary care estate will be developed; the use of technology; and the delivery of environmental sustainability and zero carbon goals.

The NHP engagement notice said the NHS wished to work with suppliers on these aims, adding that trusts in the scheme will receive support, including business case training, and close working to streamline the approval process. It said the NHS would seek to work with potential suppliers on new standardised hospital designs and to ‘make use of modular construction methods to speed up the build’.

With central support, trusts will incorporate best practice design to improve areas such as patient flow, service digitisation, and clinical requirements.