Hospitals globally face persistent challenges in medical device management, impacting patient safety, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability. This paper draws insights from a seminal doctoral case study conducted within an NHS Trust, which explored the transformative potential of a collaborative, expert-led intervention in medical device management policy. The study identified systemic issues such as fragmented

Security and safety incidents are occurring in healthcare environments with increasing frequency and severity. Recent statistics show that healthcare workers in the United States are five times more likely to experience violence than non-healthcare workers. Even more concerning is the prevalence of security incidents in maternity and paediatric environments. In 2022, paediatrics ranked third among

As an Architectural Design manager specialising in healthcare facilities, I prioritise the critical importance of the seven flows of healthcare — patient, staff, equipment, medication, waste, information, and supply chain, in every project, from small theatre upgrades to remote 22-bed clinics in Africa, and large-scale 350-bed masterplans in city centres. These flows form the backbone

Estates and Facilities managers and their teams in NHS hospitals and other healthcare settings face major challenges. With the NHS committed to becoming the world’s first Net Zero national health service, numerous energy-saving measures must be implemented, with gas as an energy source increasingly being replaced by electricity. Additionally, the growing use of electronic equipment

The NHS has been utilising a combination of washer-disinfectors (WDs) and autoclaves for over 50 years, with obvious industry improvements over time to reduce power and water consumption. They are the accepted ‘go-to’ solution for sterilisation of reusable surgical equipment from operating theatres, as well as reusable devices that do not require sterilisation. Many NHS

In healthcare, infection control and patient safety are non-negotiable priorities. While effectively managing water safety is critical to reducing infection risks, balancing this responsibility with financial constraints and operational efficiency remains an ongoing challenge for both healthcare engineering and estate management personnel, and others with responsibility for the safety of the water system in hospitals

In a ground-breaking move, the Northumbria Health and Care Academy, alongside P+HS Architects, has set a new standard for healthcare facility design, prioritising staff wellbeing. Situated in the grounds of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) in Cramlington, Northumberland, and built by Meldrum Group (with Hilson Moran as WELL-Accredited Professionals on the scheme), the

The NHS is one of the UK’s largest property owners, managing over 29 million square metres of estate at a cost exceeding £10 bn per year. These buildings are more than just infrastructure — they are the backbone of patient care, enabling safe, high-quality services and driving healthcare transformation. A well-designed, fit-for-purpose estate supports digitally

The Building Safety Act 2022 marks a seismic shift in accountability, born from Grenfell’s tragedy, demanding full lifecycle transparency for Higher-Risk Buildings — including hospitals. For the NHS, this isn’t just an estates issue — it’s a legal, moral, and patient safety imperative. The ‘golden thread’ of accurate, accessible building data must be maintained from

The NHS currently faces a number of well-known and difficult pressures — including increasing patient demand, ageing infrastructure, budget constraints, maintenance backlogs, and staffing shortages, in addition to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to find innovative and flexible solutions to help the NHS navigate these challenges, while adding high-quality clinical estate

Drive down any UK high street, and you wouldn’t be surprised to see a crumbling building nestled between a charity shop and a store selling vapes. It’s been half a decade or more since the NHS began looking at plans for reimagining vacant high street buildings into primary and community care spaces, but as the

The estate has been identified as a major limiting factor on the ability of the NHS to reduce the current waiting list size of 6.5 million people in England alone. What can we do to provide the right space with so many financial pressures on the public finances as a whole? There are lots of

Speaking immediately following the morning’ first keynote, given remotely by Judith Paget, Director General for Health and Social Services and NHS Wales CEO, on 7 May, Stuart Douglas told the conference the key areas he would be like to explore would be tools for management — with ‘the estate-sensitive subject of surveys and risk management’,

The IHEEM Wales Gala Dinner 2025 took place after the opening day of the IHEEM Wales Regional Conference and Exhibition, which was held again this year — following last year’s success — at the ICC Wales, just a stone’s throw away. Themed ‘Pioneering Estates for Tomorrow’, the two-day conference covered high-profile issues including the challenges

Good interior design, and clear, effective signage, are not just ‘nice to have’, they are essential for healthcare environments, and can have a significant impact on patient experience, recovery, and staff productivity. They help give a space character, and encourage staff to take ownership of, and have pride in, their facility — often leading to