Hospital planning: challenges or opportunities?

The quality and suitability of the hospital environment is a key contributor to the patient experience. Although major improvements have been made to NHS hospitals in England over the past 20 years, a significant proportion of the estate remains unfit for purpose. Affording investment in capital schemes will be increasingly challenging for NHS trusts and foundation trusts given the projected financial constraints facing the NHS; robust and effective planning is needed more than ever to ensure that any capital funding available delivers tangible benefits to patient care. Early and consistent clinical engagement is vital to enable true alignment of clinical services and facilities. It is essential that the planning of hospital facilities responds to changing models of care and is undertaken through a genuine 'whole system' approach. Providing a fit for purpose patient environment across the health economy must be a key target for all commissioners and providers alike.