Read on Twitter
"Drawing upon the experiences of the NHS in responding to Covid-19, we will explore whether the Government’s new building programme could potentially mark the most comprehensive reform of hospital building in England since the 1960s" https://twitter.com/Policy_Exchange/status/1290575947775856640?s=20
I mean. It *could*. But it won't. Because they aren't 40 new hospitals in the first place.
The 1962 Hospital Plan was not a conscious, planned process but emergent and reshaped by social/economic contexts.
But it transformed hospital care to the present.
The 1962 Hospital Plan was not a conscious, planned process but emergent and reshaped by social/economic contexts.
But it transformed hospital care to the present.
"Is the traditional concept of a generalist hospital still fit for purpose in the 21st century?"
Yes. But this isn't how services are organised any more because of fragmentation since 1991. And, if I'm honest, since 1982. Hospital =/= trust.
Yes. But this isn't how services are organised any more because of fragmentation since 1991. And, if I'm honest, since 1982. Hospital =/= trust.
"How can we ensure that future hospital building is pandemic-proof, whilst still representing good value for taxpayer money?"
You can't. Notions of value are based on utility/purpose. Hospitals aren't intended for COVID-19 crisis. But history has ideas...
You can't. Notions of value are based on utility/purpose. Hospitals aren't intended for COVID-19 crisis. But history has ideas...
"In light of new models of care delivered outside of hospital settings during COVID, do we need to rethink how hospitals provide outpatient care?"
Yes. But this has been on the cards for a long time, and is bound up with concentrations of specialist care.
Yes. But this has been on the cards for a long time, and is bound up with concentrations of specialist care.
"How can high volume, less specialist work be best delivered in the NHS?"
Not in a production-line contracted-out way that this question suggests. Otherwise you end up with public residualisation and private cream-skimming.
Not in a production-line contracted-out way that this question suggests. Otherwise you end up with public residualisation and private cream-skimming.
"Should critical bed capacity be maintained at current levels, return to pre-pandemic levels, or be increased further still?"
I mean, this depends on how you classify critical beds in the first place. Costs come with expertise surrounding beds. So staff...
I mean, this depends on how you classify critical beds in the first place. Costs come with expertise surrounding beds. So staff...
"What is the future for field hospitals established as part of the COVID-19 pandemic?"
In a more integrated service they could be used to decentre services and put them into communities. But they won't.
In a more integrated service they could be used to decentre services and put them into communities. But they won't.
"How can new hospital construction be better integrated within the local health and social care system?"
Raised this point earlier in the thread, but it does not involve more contracts and fragmentation. That is for sure.
Raised this point earlier in the thread, but it does not involve more contracts and fragmentation. That is for sure.
"How can new hospital design make the most of advancements in technology and medical devices? For example, what is the role of devices and new technology in helping to monitor patients?"
Technology =/= neutral.
Technology =/= neutral.
"What does future demand for NHS services look like, and how can hospitals better serve their populations?"
This has been a perpetual question in the provision of health services (and borderline with social care). This is not asked in the framing here.
This has been a perpetual question in the provision of health services (and borderline with social care). This is not asked in the framing here.
"How can new hospitals enable more efficient models of inspection for safety and cleanliness?"
This is one for @hazardhospitals.
This is one for @hazardhospitals.
"Should future hospitals be built with a higher proportion of single/private rooms? And how can hospital design contribute to better sleep hygiene for in-patients?"
PFI has some serious lessons on this one. Not the privatisation of 'hotel' services, however.
PFI has some serious lessons on this one. Not the privatisation of 'hotel' services, however.
"What provision should new hospitals make for key worker / affordable housing?"
History has some *serious* lessons here on contracting and closure of medical staffing accommodation. Answer: some.
History has some *serious* lessons here on contracting and closure of medical staffing accommodation. Answer: some.
"How can green or ‘natural’ space, both inside and outside hospital buildings, help to deliver positive outcomes for patients and staff? What architectural concepts or features could achieve this?"
Bespoke hospitals raise concerns. Cf. Liverpool.
Bespoke hospitals raise concerns. Cf. Liverpool.
"How can air quality in hospitals be improved?"
Relates to wider environmental concerns, but also about location. Again, history has some thoughts based on peripheral location of DGHs...
Relates to wider environmental concerns, but also about location. Again, history has some thoughts based on peripheral location of DGHs...
"How can sustainable materials and energy systems be used to ensure the cost-effective and sustainable operation of future hospitals, and reduce the carbon emissions of the NHS estate?"
Think this speaks to/with bespoke hospital point...
Think this speaks to/with bespoke hospital point...
"Can we reduce the overwhelming dominance of the car as a means of travelling to and from hospitals? Are there opportunities for fitness and health gains from encouraging other modes of transport?"
Halt concentration which has consolidated this process?
Halt concentration which has consolidated this process?
"Hospitals tend to be built in utilitarian styles. Is it possible to combine consideration of all practical and clinical constraints with building beautiful? Could hospitals be beautiful as well as functional buildings?"
Liverpool. Just Liverpool.
Liverpool. Just Liverpool.
"Should local communities be given more say in the external appearance of hospitals?"
I think there are bigger fish to try to be honest. Like services. Appointments. Access. Visiting arrangements. But yes. Let's focus on appearance.
I think there are bigger fish to try to be honest. Like services. Appointments. Access. Visiting arrangements. But yes. Let's focus on appearance.
