With NHS repair backlogs reaching record levels, and the future of the new hospitals programme facing an uncertain future, leading modular construction firms Darwin Group and Portakabin bosses are calling for a rethink around how healthcare estates are planned and funded.

Darwin Group and Portakabin have combined their strengths to deliver excellence in modern healthcare environments.

Over the last 12 months, both companies have been looking at how modular construction and alternative funding options could transform the idea of what a modern healthcare estate could look like.

Darwin Group CEO, Richard Pierce, said he believes a strategic overhaul is long overdue.

“We know the transformational effect that an outstanding healthcare estate can have on patient care, in addition to improving staff satisfaction, morale and wellbeing,” he said.

“We also know that much of the existing healthcare estate across the country – both NHS and private-sector – is simply unfit for purpose because of the ever-changing healthcare needs and demands.

“The NHS needs greater financial flexibility and an entirely new approach to the way it builds new hospitals and other facilities. While standardisation is essential, the healthcare sector needs more than Hospital 2.0. We want to reimagine the way healthcare estates are designed and built to ensure true flexibility is built in from the very start. That means planning for changes in building use according to future healthcare needs in various ways, such as having the ability to easily add extra floors or change internal configurations across the estate when needed.

“Funding challenges hinder the progression of healthcare estates, from Cdel funding restrictions to an ever-increasing demand on services.  We as partners need to reimagine what’s possible – and we are ready to make that change to ensure our healthcare estates are fit for purpose, now and in the future.”

By combining their expertise and manufacturing capabilities, Portakabin and Darwin Group can offer one of the fastest and most comprehensive solutions possible to the healthcare sector.