Thursday, 17 October 2024—Darwin Group, the UK’s leading healthcare construction specialist, today announced the introduction of a new product set, On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions. The solutions are designed to assist the NHS, private, and independent sectors in managing the anticipated winter surge in hospital admissions and primary care visits, addressing evolving future demands and preventing service disruption during estate maintenance and repair.

On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure is clinically approved and designed with the patient in mind.  Operational in a matter of weeks, they can accommodate patients for a wide range of purposes including ambulance handovers, same-day emergency care, diagnostic procedures, treatment, recovery and discharge.

Where mobile solutions are too compromised and permanent solutions too long in planning and construction, On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions bridge the gap by addressing today’s healthcare estate challenges without creating future burdens such as growing maintenance costs and facilities becoming unfit for purpose.  

Aligned to the specific duration of need—whether for short-term surges or more extended operational requirements—these adaptable environments support efficient patient pathways and enhance staff experience, directly contributing to patient safety and better outcomes.

“On-Demand solutions are a vital aspect of modern healthcare delivery and are scalable to address immediate and planned future healthcare needs,” said Nick Dawe, Director of Strategy & Transformation, Darwin Group.

“As we move into the winter season, demand on both the NHS and independent sectors will increase sharply. By actively planning to integrate these innovative solutions, organisations can take back full control of the estate management process and provide their front-line staff with the facilities they require to deliver excellent patient care and achieve the best clinical outcomes. A smarter approach is required to prepare for the current and future needs of our health system into this winter and beyond, particularly given the cost of the NHS estate maintenance backlog. The patient experience of using On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions should feel indistinguishable from what they expect from a permanent building.”

Many health conditions including respiratory system diseases and asthma are worsened by cold weather. Combined with sharp increases in influenza, norovirus and variants of COVID-19, health service providers face intense pressure to manage patients both in the community and secondary care settings. Capacity issues frequently result.

The NHS estate maintenance backlog impacting permanent buildings alone is estimated to cost £11.6 billion, with some £2.6 billion of this marked as ‘high risk’ in terms of safety to individuals or potential for buildings falling into disuse. On-Demand solutions do not contribute to these costs and bring additional benefits, including hosting patients and medical professionals while maintenance and repairs are undertaken in permanent buildings, reducing healthcare delivery disruption.

On-Demand solutions bring a range of additional benefits, including speed of deployment, added flexibility to repurpose space in line with changing needs and an ability to focus on lowering daily operational costs.

However, Darwin Group recognise that increasing space alone isn’t always enough.

That’s where On-Demand+ comes in. It provides comprehensive maintenance packages and workforce insourcing options that enhance efficiency, protect healthcare delivery and future-proof facilities.

Through a dedicated 24/7 ringfenced clinical team from Medacs Healthcare, On-Demand+ ensures optimal operational efficiency. The workforce integrates with existing teams, helping to cover any staffing gaps and support surge capacity during critical periods.

By facilitating staff rotation between units, Medacs Healthcare fosters the development of cohesive ‘Allied’ teams. Supported by experienced substantive staff, these teams ensure continuity and stability across all areas of your operations, driving both staff engagement and consistent, high-quality patient care.

To find out more about On-Demand Healthcare Infrastructure Solutions and On-Demand+, click here. Alternatively, complete the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.