NHS estates managers help to mitigate increasing pressure on NHS budgets by making buildings more efficient
Among the efficiencies delivered are LED lighting upgrades and switching the entire building portfolio of NHSPS to 100 per cent renewable energy
NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has delivered £53m in cost efficiencies since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Exceeding its initial target by £20m, NHSPS – which owns and manages 10% of the total NHS estate – is helping to mitigate inflationary pressures on the NHS, meaning it can prioritise spending on the pandemic response and keep its charges flat at a time when other providers were increasing theirs.
In addition, there was a 20% increase on capital investment, which saw improvements to NHS sites such as GP surgeries and hospitals across England.
Overall, NHSPS delivered 110 transformational estate projects as part of its Healthy Places scheme, which will benefit over two million patients and provide 100,000sq m of improved space for the NHS.
We have learnt important lessons that will help us to improve the health estate and ensure it is fit for patients, both now and in the future
A new social prescribing programme was also launched, creating 21 more spaces in line with the goal laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan to refer at least 900,000 people to these services by 2023/24.
And, as part of the COVID-19 response:
Martin Steele, chief executive at NHS Property Services, said: “2020 was a challenging year for everyone, both within and outside of our organisation, but it has been incredible to lead an organisation that has been so committed to supporting the NHS during this difficult time.
“I’m so proud of my colleagues who have been helping to keep the NHS running throughout the pandemic, both on the frontline and behind the scenes.
“Through collaborating with Integrated Care Systems and local health authorities we have adapted existing buildings to support the vaccine rollout and explored how community-based health and wellbeing initiatives can be delivered locally.
2020 was a challenging year for everyone, both within and outside of our organisation, but it has been incredible to lead an organisation that has been so committed to supporting the NHS during this difficult time
“And we have learnt important lessons that will help us to improve the health estate and ensure it is fit for patients, both now and in the future.”
And, in line with the NHS’s goal to become carbon net zero by 2040, over the 12-month period covered by the annual report, reducing the carbon footprint of the health estate has been a key priority.
Alongside £10.6m and 8,600 tonnes of carbon saved, initiatives have included switching the entire building portfolio to 100% renewable electricity, upgrading to LED lighting, and installing smart meters in properties.
