JANUARY 2026 | £8 healthcaredm.co.uk healthcare design & management Creating a smart estate with a digital twin Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust creates a unified, data-rich model of its estate Congleton’s new CDC How modular buildings transformed healthcare delivery Nurse call systems The latest in 2026 Also in this issue: Nottingham’s Broad Marsh CDC breathes new life into the city centre From retail to recovery hdm Cover Jan 2026.indd 1 15/01/2026 16:28
Specialising in modular healthcare buildings CONTACT US TODAY 0800 18 18 22 | www.wernick.co.uk buildings@wernick.co.uk Minimum on-site time 50+ years design life Sustainable construction Flexible expandable Full project management WERNICK MODULAR BUILDINGS DELIVER... Hire and refurbished options also available HDM Adverts Jan 26.indd 2 15/01/2026 11:39
healthcaredm.co.uk 3 Publishers Stable Publishing Limited SBC House, Restmor Way Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. sales@healthcaredm.co.uk healthcaredm.co.uk Editor Helen Adkins Production Nicola Cann Design Gemma England Media Sales Manager Terry Stafford Head of Sales Julian Walter Managing Director Toby Filby The Nottingham Community Diagnostics Centre, to be part of the Broad Marsh regeneration The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. healthcare design & management Nottingham’s Community Diagnostics Centre marks the first completed phase of the Broad Marsh regeneration, replacing part of a former shopping centre with a civicfocused healthcare facility. The project shows how city-centre land, once dominated by retail, can be repurposed to meet new community needs. On page 14, Liz Chamberlain, associate at Leonard Design, explains how transforming part of this former shopping centre into a civic-focused healthcare facility signals a new chapter for Nottingham’s urban landscape. The CDC’s design balances functionality and context. Retaining the former building’s concrete frame, the facades and landscaped Green Heart create a welcoming environment for patients while integrating with the wider public realm. Interiors are carefully considered, with wayfinding, natural light and calm finishes supporting a positive user experience. While modest in scale, the CDC illustrates the potential of healthcare infrastructure to contribute to broader urban regeneration. It is a practical example of how underused sites can be adapted, improving accessibility and connecting people to the city centre, without compromising either the operation of the facility or the quality of the urban environment. Meanwhile, modular construction is increasingly finding a place in NHS projects, and the Community Diagnostic Centre at Congleton War Memorial Hospital is a clear example. Offsite-built modules allowed East Cheshire NHS Trust to expand diagnostic capacity without major disruption to ongoing services, offering a practical solution where space, time and patient flow are critical considerations. On page 19, we look at how this approach provides flexibility in design, speed of delivery and the ability to adapt to specific site constraints. It also illustrates a broader shift within the NHS – using modular and offsite techniques not as a compromise, but as a considered way to meet growing demand for community-based diagnostics efficiently and responsibly. Together, the Congleton and Nottingham projects illustrate how the NHS is exploring new approaches to delivering healthcare infrastructure. Whether through modular construction or the adaptive reuse of an existing sites, these projects show a willingness to rethink traditional approaches. Helen Adkins Editor Helen.Adkins@stable-media.co.uk Editor’s Letter January 2026 Rethinking traditional approaches hdm Leader Jan 2026.indd 3 15/01/2026 16:28
7 3 24 14 28 hdm Contents Jan 2026.indd 4 15/01/2026 16:25
IN THIS ISSUE... January 2026 7 News A round-up of all the news from across the sector. 14 Nottingham Community Diagnotics Centre, Broad Marsh The Nottingham Community Diagnostics Centre will be the first completed building of the Broad Marsh regeneration. Liz Chamberlain, associate at Leonard Design, explains how transforming part of a former shopping centre into a civic-focused healthcare facility signals a new chapter for Nottingham’s urban landscape. 19 Modular construction for Congleton War Memorial Hospital CDC Rob Few, deputy director of Estates and Facilities at East Cheshire NHS Trust, and Martin Irvine, senior business development manager for Premier Modular, talks to hdm editor Helen Adkins about using modular buildings to complete the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Congleton War Memorial Hospital. 24 Creating a smart estate with a digital twin Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has launched a digital twin spanning six hospitals, creating a unified, data-rich model of its estate. We look at how the move is transforming space management and compliance workflows, as well as underpinning new smart-estate capabilities across the trust. 28 Nurse call technology In the evolving landscape of NHS care, communication remains a fundamental pillar of safe, responsive patient support. We look at the latest generation of nurse‑call technology. 31 Comment: The challenge facing NHS estates NHS estates teams are facing unprecedented pressure as maintenance backlogs climb, capital budgets tighten and the drive toward net zero accelerates. Edward Gee, executive director of customer operations at Platinum Facilities, explains why stronger partnerships, better data and clearer risk visibility are essential for a more resilient future. 31 19 hdm Contents Jan 2026.indd 5 15/01/2026 16:25
DESIGN BUILDAt MTX, our full-service construction solution brings together design, build, finance, operation and maintenance expertise for healthcare building projects throughout the UK. From financial structuring to long-term facilities support, we offer NHS Trusts one single, streamlined route from concept to completion – ensuring every stage of delivery is aligned. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality results on time and to budget, we’re committed to shaping the future of NHS estates to meet the demands of modern healthcare – better, faster and greener than ever. HDM Adverts Jan 26.indd 6 15/01/2026 11:39
healthcaredm.co.uk 7 NEWS Workforce pressures ‘holding back’ NHS digital transformation, survey warns Almost all frontline digital leaders say workforce pressures are preventing the NHS from delivering the government’s 10-Year Plan for digital transformation, according to new polling released ahead of Digital Health Rewired 2026. The survey of CIOs, CCIOs, GPs and other digital leaders finds that 96% believe staffing strain is holding back digital progress, with many describing their organisations’ digital readiness as ‘poor’, ‘chaotic’ or ‘patchy’. Confidence in meeting the government’s accelerated digital expectations is weakening, with 61% saying they feel unprepared to deliver key commitments in the 10-Year Plan. Respondents highlight rising service demand (29%), insufficient workforce budgets (21%), burnout (13%) and growing challenges in retaining experienced staff (12%) as the main factors undermining digital delivery. Several leaders say ongoing organisational restructuring and shrinking digital teams are out of step with the skills and capacity now required. Thomas Mickleright, GP and Digital Transformation Clinical Lead for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said the findings reflect a system under intense strain: ‘We are being asked to deliver more digital change than ever, but teams are exhausted,’ he warned. ‘There is no protected time and no capacity to take on new digital tasks when clinical demand keeps rising. The Workforce Plan in the spring must recognise the scale of this pressure.’ Despite the NHS App being widely used across the country, only 28% of leaders feel prepared to deliver the expanded ‘digital front door’ ambitions set out in the 10-Year Plan. Confidence is similarly low for other major programmes: preparedness stands at 36% for the Single Patient Record, 32% for the Federated Data Platform, and just 16% for achieving the 3% annual spend target on transformation. Dr Paul Jones, chief digital information officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said the results ‘underline what many of us see every day’. ‘Workforce pressures are now the biggest barrier to digital progress,’ he said. ‘If we are to achieve the proposed shift from analogue to digital, expectation must be matched with capacity, capability and protected time for teams to deliver change safely.’ The survey also offers a clear message on workforce capability needs. Leaders prioritise practical skills — with leadership and change management ranked highest (42%), followed by clinical workflow expertise (34%). By contrast, AI sits at the bottom of the priority list, despite its prominence in national digital policy. Karl Grundy, managing director at Digital Health, said the findings should be a wake-up call for ministers as they prepare the National NHS Workforce Plan. ‘This is the first time clinical and IT leaders have been able to give detailed views on the achievability of the 10-Year Plan’s digital ambitions,’ he said. ‘The results serve as a timely warning — ambitions are achievable, but not without further investment in the workforce. Spring next year needs to be a turning point.’ ■ www.digitalhealthrewired.com 7, 8, 9, 10. News.indd 7 15/01/2026 16:29
8 healthcaredm.co.uk NEWS A new endoscopy unit has opened at Leicester General Hospital. The single-storey facility includes six procedure rooms and 20 private recovery pods, supporting patient comfort and privacy. The unit will enable an additional 9,000 patients to be seen each year, helping to reduce waiting times and improve access to diagnostic procedures. Work began in March 2024, delivered by a project team including Selcon (project management), Rider Levett Bucknall (quantity surveying), Stephen George & Partners (principal designer), P+HS Architects (architect), Curtins (structural engineer) and CPW (mechanical and electrical engineer). Construction was undertaken by Henry Brothers Construction on behalf of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The new facility incorporates digital solutions to streamline patient administration and reduce paperwork, allowing clinical teams to focus more time on care. ■ Plans for the £30 million Sir Bobby Robson Institute at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital have advanced, with Robertson Construction North East supporting Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through the planning process. Funded by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, the proposed three-storey centre will unite the hospital’s cancer and blood disorder research teams under one roof. Designed by P+HS Architects, the facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories and clinical trial spaces, enabling a 50% rise in research activity over five years. Appointed via the ProCure23 framework, Robertson has delivered pre-construction and design services from RIBA Stages 1–4. If approved, construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, with completion targeted for 2028. The project forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing mission to advance world-leading cancer treatment and research across the North East. ■ £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute moves forward New endoscopy unit opens at Leicester General Hospital East Norfolk’s new CDC opens at Northgate Hospital Morgan Sindall Construction’s Eastern Counties team has completed a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Northgate Hospital, Great Yarmouth. Appointed by James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH) and procured via the Pagabo Construction Framework, the £8 million scheme involved a full refurbishment and upgrade of the hospital’s two-storey Cranbrook Building. The centre now houses a CT scanner, cardiac and lung diagnostics, consultation rooms and supporting facilities. Morgan Sindall’s Intelligent Solutions approach enabled the team to deliver complex temporary works and structural alterations within a live hospital environment, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing services. The refurbishment also delivers long-term environmental and cost benefits by reusing and modernising an existing facility rather than building new. The development forms part of NHS England’s £19.5 million investment to expand diagnostic capacity across East Norfolk, supporting the government’s wider programme of community diagnostic centres nationwide. ■ 7, 8, 9, 10. News.indd 8 15/01/2026 16:29
healthcaredm.co.uk 9 NEWS The Beaulieu Healthcare Centre has opened in North Chelmsford. The new-build facility operates as a branch of North Chelmsford Healthcare Centre and features 13 clinical rooms, two virtual consulting rooms and a counselling room. The centre is built to BREEAM Excellent standards and designed to be Net Zero Carbon in Occupation, using solar panels and smart energy systems. The project was delivered by Countryside (part of Vistry Group) and L&Q, developers of the Beaulieu neighbourhood. The facility supports the NHS aim of bringing care closer to home, reducing hospital visits, and expanding access to healthcare for the growing local community. Plans are also in place to develop a GP training centre at the site. ■ A new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has been completed in Thurrock, Essex, delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Appointed via the NHS Shared Business Services framework, Morgan Sindall refurbished a 1,100 m² building to create new consulting rooms and staff facilities, while demolishing an adjacent singlestorey structure to construct a new infill building housing X-ray rooms, CT and MRI scanners. The centre will provide a wide range of diagnostic services including MRI, CT, ultrasound and echocardiography, as well as X-rays, lung checks, ECGs and blood tests, offering around 75,000 appointments per year. The project required complex construction measures such as a Faraday cage around the MRI room, and leadlined X-ray and CT rooms. Morgan Sindall also implemented its Intelligent Solutions approach to manage logistics and minimise disruption on the constrained site, particularly during road and car park works. Designed with input from Arcadis, the facility enhances diagnostic capacity for the region and is the first of four CDCs planned across Mid and South Essex, with further centres due in Southend, Braintree and Pitsea. ■ New Beaulieu Healthcare Centre opens in North Chelmsford Thurrock Community Diagnostic Centre completed Worthing Hospital has opened its new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) following multi-million-pound improvements by Morgan Sindall Construction. The facility will treat patients with non-life-threatening conditions and is located closer to the Emergency Department to improve patient flow. The single-storey, steel-framed UTC can handle up to 40,000 patients a year and features eight consultation rooms, a dedicated paediatric waiting area, and improved clinical support spaces. Construction required careful planning to minimise disruption, including relocating the A&E entrance, managing deliveries along the 24-hour ‘blue light’ route, and reducing noise near critical wards. Morgan Sindall employed a 64% local workforce and awarded over £940,000 in contracts to nearby SMEs. Worthing Hospital opens upgraded Urgent Treatment Centre and A&E 7, 8, 9, 10. News.indd 9 15/01/2026 16:29
10 healthcaredm.co.uk NEWS The Coed-Ely Solar Farm has officially been switched on, supplying local electricity directly to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. The project ensures one of the community’s most vital public services is powered by energy generated in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Built on a reclaimed colliery site, the solar farm features 9,000 panels and produces enough electricity to power around 1,800 homes each year, as well as the hospital. The project has also supported the local economy, creating jobs and generating over £600,000 in spending with local businesses and suppliers. It represents a major step towards making public services more resilient and less dependent on fluctuating energy markets. Councillor Ros Davis, cabinet member for resources, said: 'This milestone sees all the hard work pay off as the Royal Glamorgan Hospital receives its first boost of power from the Coed-Ely Solar Farm. Any electricity not used by the hospital is fed into the National Grid, strengthening the UK’s energy security. But local power and local impact are at the heart of this project.' Mark Williams, partnerships director at Vital Energi, added: 'This demonstrates how public and private sectors can collaborate to achieve net zero goals and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.' The Coed-Ely Solar Farm, constructed on 84 acres of former industrial land, is one of the largest local-authority solar projects in Wales. It generates 5MW, enough to power around 8,000 homes annually, while directly supporting essential healthcare locally. ■ For more information on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, visit: UKSPF Prospectus EDGE, a multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has completed its work on a new stroke rehabilitation facility at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (DBTH). The Phoenix Therapy Suite, located at Montagu Hospital within the Fred and Ann Green Rehabilitation Centre, provides patients with access to advanced therapies previously unavailable on the NHS. The suite includes robotic-assisted walking and arm exercises, interactive devices for cognitive function, and personalised rehabilitation programmes designed to help stroke survivors regain independence and accelerate recovery. EDGE’s role focused on costmanagement services, ensuring the facility was delivered efficiently, on budget, and with maximum value for the Trust and its patients. Brad Fella, senior cost manager at EDGE, said: 'We’re proud to have supported DBTH in delivering this transformative facility. The Phoenix Therapy Suite demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation and careful planning.' Professor Deb Lowe, medical director of the Stroke Association, added: 'Facilities like the Phoenix Therapy Suite are crucial, giving patients the opportunity to recover more fully and regain independence after a stroke.' The new service was made possible through the generosity of the late Fred and Ann Green, supplemented by support from DBTH Charity to fund the purchase of the equipment. Zara Jones, deputy chief executive at DBTH, said: 'The Phoenix Therapy Suite reflects our Healthier Together strategy, delivering high-quality care while empowering patients to take control of their recovery.' ■ EDGE completes work on pioneering new stroke rehabilitation facility Coed-Ely Solar Farm powers Royal Glamorgan Hospital 7, 8, 9, 10. News.indd 10 15/01/2026 16:29
Totally Cordless and Maintenance Free. Ideal for Hospitals, Clinics and Surgeries With a choice of magnetically operated or motorised blinds, our double glazed integral blind systems are suitable for both internal and external use. t. 020 8500 2200 www.betweenglassblinds.co.uk Introducing the BGB Blackout – an integral magnetic blind designed to block out all light. HDM Adverts Jan 26.indd 11 15/01/2026 11:39
12 healthcaredm.co.uk NEWS Scotland’s leading healthcare built environment event returns to Loch Lomond in March 2026, bringing the sector together to explore resilience, renewal and retrofit. Here’s what to expect Scotland’s leading event dedicated to the design and delivery of healthcare environments will return next spring, with the healthcare buildings forum Scotland confirmed for 19-20 March 2026 at the prestigious Cameron House, Loch Lomond. Booking is now open, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be one of the most dynamic gatherings in the sector’s calendar. Set against the iconic backdrop of Loch Lomond, the forum brings together architects, contractors, suppliers, healthcare estates managers and Trusts, alongside local authorities and Scottish Government stakeholders. Delegates will explore the challenges shaping Scotland’s healthcare estate, learn from live projects, and hear directly from those driving new thinking across design, procurement and delivery. In 2026, the healthcare buildings forum Scotland will once again take place alongside two sister events: the education building forum Scotland and the physical activity facilities forum Scotland. This co-location creates a unique environment where related sectors can connect, share healthcare buildings forum Scotland 2026 PREVIEW Passionate about Scotland’s healthcare estate? We’d love to hear from you. Submit a proposal to join the speaker line-up at HBF Scotland 2026, or get in touch with Georgie Smith, delegate relations manager (Georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk) to find out more insight and learn from one another’s challenges and solutions. With so many built environment professionals gathered in one place, the event reflects a growing recognition that meaningful progress in public sector construction depends on collaboration across disciplines as well as within them. THIS YEAR’S THEME Across Scotland, ageing facilities, maintenance backlogs and infrastructure vulnerabilities continue to widen the gap between estate needs and the capacity to deliver improvements. With signs of renewed capital investment from 2026, a critical opportunity is emerging to modernise, retrofit and strengthen resilience across the healthcare estate. This pressure-filled environment is already driving innovation, from flexible and modular solutions to the repurposing of existing buildings and the expansion of community-based care facilities. For this reason, the theme of the 2026 forum will focus on Scotland’s Healthcare Estate – Resilience, Renewal, Retrofit, exploring how constraints can become a catalyst for renewal and how the estate can be reshaped to better support future models of care. WHAT TO EXPECT A programme of high-level seminars forms the core of the event, complemented by the forum’s wellestablished schedule of pre-arranged one-to-one meetings. This ensures every participant can make purposeful business connections. Combined with informal networking and shared social activities across all three events, the forum offers an energising atmosphere that encourages open discussion and the exchange of ideas between closely connected sectors. Attendance is complimentary for professionals actively involved in the design, construction or ongoing management of healthcare buildings, estates and facilities, reflecting the forum’s commitment to accessible knowledge sharing and practical collaboration. Professionals with relevant projects, research or experience are invited to contribute to the seminar programme. Those interested should contact Georgie Smith to discuss speaking opportunities (Georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk). The healthcare buildings forum Scotland 2026 promises to be an inspiring and influential occasion for everyone committed to creating exceptional healthcare environments, and a powerful reminder that the future of Scotland’s healthcare estate is strongest when shaped together. For more information or to secure your place, visit www.hbf-scotland.co.uk or email info@hbf-scotland.co.uk. ■ 12. Preview.indd 12 15/01/2026 16:30
REVENUE SOLUTIONS FOR CLINICAL ESTATE BY Get in touch for more information sales@healthcarehire.co.uk 0151 556 0400 HDM Adverts Jan 26.indd 13 15/01/2026 11:39
14 healthcaredm.co.uk PROJECT Reimagining Broad Marsh The transformation behind Nottingham’s CDC The Nottingham Community Diagnostics Centre will be the first completed building of the Broad Marsh regeneration. Liz Chamberlain, associate at Leonard Design, explains how transforming part of a former shopping centre into a civic-focused healthcare facility signals a new chapter for Nottingham’s urban landscape ‘At the centre of the Broad Marsh regeneration is the Green Heart — a new civic landscape that reconnects the area with Nottingham’s urban core’ The Nottingham Community Diagnostics Centre occupies a corner of the former Broad Marsh Shopping Centre in the heart of Nottingham’s city centre. Built in the early 1970s on land previously occupied by slum housing and a Franciscan Friary, the Broad Marsh Centre opened in 1975 as one of the UK’s earliest American-style malls and quickly became a major retail destination. Over time, however, it suffered from underinvestment and shifting retail patterns. A planned redevelopment by Intu Properties stalled following the company’s administration, after which ownership passed to Nottingham City Council and more recently to Homes England. The CDC is the first completed phase of the site’s long-term regeneration, signalling a shift from traditional commercial retail to community-centred urban redevelopment. Its delivery marks an important step towards reimagining Broad Marsh as a vibrant, mixed-use quarter. THE GREEN HEART At the centre of the Broad Marsh regeneration is the Green Heart — a new civic landscape that reconnects the area with Nottingham’s urban core. Designed as a generous public park, it forms a green gateway into the city, weaving nature, movement and social activity into the redevelopment. Positioned to the south of the CDC, it creates a soft, welcoming approach into the building’s double-height lobby. Far more than a simple park, the Green Heart is a layered public realm that blends planting, water features and informal seating with places for play, food and drink, and temporary art. It extends southwards from the CDC before turning east towards Nottingham College and Nottingham Contemporary, with later phases planned as the wider masterplan progresses. Replacing part of the western side of the former shopping centre, the Green Heart opens up a once-severed pedestrian route from the station to the city centre. 14, 15, 16, 17. Nottingham CDC Regeneration Hub.indd 14 15/01/2026 16:56
healthcaredm.co.uk 15 PROJECT consultant for all stages of the project. Leonard Design were selected for their deep knowledge of the Broad Marsh site and strong collaborative relationship with Nottingham City Council planners. With expertise spanning architecture, interior design, graphics and master planning, the practice was well placed to handle the complexities of a dense city-centre context. Drawing on extensive regeneration experience, the team approached the CDC with an emphasis on civic value, urban integration and thoughtful design. It was vital that the building would be more than a successful healthcare facility — it also needed to stand on its own architectural merit and enhance the area, particularly given the priority of the Broad Marsh regeneration. DESIGN CONCEPT The CDC is built around the retained concrete frame of the former shopping centre, which now forms its structural backbone. This existing structure is revitalised through energy-efficient facades that bring contemporary character to a previously dormant building. Transparency and exposure underpin the architectural concept. The facades vary in transparency around the building, gradually revealing different layers of activity within. Glazed brick, mesh panels and opaque glazing allow diffuse daylight to enter while ensuring privacy. Fully glazed sections create clear visual connections between the double-height lobby and the Green Heart, NOTTINGHAM COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTICS CENTRE (CDC) Cost: £25 million Location: Former Broad Marsh Shopping Centre, Nottingham city centre Client: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUHT) Lead Consultant: ARUP Architect/interiors/masterplanning/ graphics: Leonard Design Main contractor: Henry Brothers Site ownership: Homes England (formerly Nottingham City Council) Gross internal area: Over 3,000 sqm across two levels Equipment strategy: Scanning suites located on external elevations with removable facade panels for 10-year replacement cycles Opening: Expected late 2026 Where the Broad Marsh Centre once formed a physical barrier, the new landscape acts as a living expression of Nottingham’s shift towards a more human-scale and sustainable urban future. The CDC stands at its northern edge, serving as a gateway building to the city centre beyond. APPOINTMENT Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUHT) appointed ARUP as lead consultant for the CDC, who in turn engaged Leonard Design as subwhile the original concrete frame remains deliberately exposed to celebrate the building’s structural past. This layered transparency mirrors the CDC’s medical purpose; that of seeing within. Just as X-ray, ultrasound, MRI and CT technologies reveal the inner workings of the human body, the building offers glimpses into its own internal functions. The adjacency of the Green Heart reinforces this idea, with the glazed atrium offering expansive views over the landscaped park. A bespoke pink staircase sits at the centre of this space, chosen to contrast with the green >> 14, 15, 16, 17. Nottingham CDC Regeneration Hub.indd 15 15/01/2026 16:56
16 healthcaredm.co.uk PROJECT façades and complement the spring planting palette of the gardens beyond. The interiors are designed with users at their core. Each sub-waiting area has a subtle distinguishing colour, expressed through seating, ceilings and finer finishes to support intuitive wayfinding. The palette across communal spaces is calm and natural, creating a reassuring comforting environment. KEY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES The centre provides over 3,000 sqm GIA across two floors, accommodating a full suite of diagnostic services. It includes three MRI scanners — two 1.5 tesla and one 3 tesla — three CT scanners and specialist suites for X-ray, ultrasound, spirometry, sleep studies and phlebotomy. A substantial staff and administrative area supports sevenday-a-week operations, ensuring both accessibility and efficiency. Scanning suites are located on the external perimeter to allow for ten-year replacement cycles. Specially designed removable façade panels enable this with minimal disruption to the building’s operation. REGENERATION OPPORTUNITIES As the first completed phase of the Broad Marsh regeneration, the CDC will act as a catalyst for wider renewal. Its delivery aligns with the NHS’s ten-year 14, 15, 16, 17. Nottingham CDC Regeneration Hub.indd 16 15/01/2026 16:56
healthcaredm.co.uk 17 PROJECT plan to reintegrate healthcare within local communities, demonstrating the potential of repurposing underused retail assets to meet civic needs. Bringing patients and staff back into the city centre supports the revitalisation of struggling urban areas. The design places wellbeing at its core. Abundant daylight and views across the Green Heart encourage positive health behaviours and support pre-habilitation — proactive care and illness prevention — rather than solely treatment. URBAN IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH The CDC challenges assumptions that NHS buildings must be utilitarian. Both contextually responsive and architecturally considered, it integrates with the city centre while delivering essential healthcare. As a functioning medical facility and an architectural gateway, it shows how civic infrastructure can elevate urban identity and enhance community health. As the Broad Marsh masterplan continues to evolve, the CDC offers an early glimpse of how design quality, public realm and civic purpose can work together to redefine a previously closed-off part of the city. The building demonstrates how existing structures can be creatively re-used rather than replaced, reducing embodied carbon while preserving elements of Nottingham’s recent history. Retaining the former shopping centre’s frame was not simply an economical choice but an environmental and cultural one, grounding the new facility in the story of the site. The project has also prompted broader conversations about the future of city-centre land use. With retail demand shrinking nationwide, Nottingham is one of several UK cities exploring how health, education, culture, workspace and leisure can reinvigorate central districts. The CDC stands as a credible example of what this shift can look like in practice — delivering essential public services in highly accessible locations while supporting footfall, safety and a renewed sense of urban purpose. Equally important is the way the CDC integrates with walking and cycling networks around the city. Positioned on one of Nottingham’s busiest pedestrian routes, the building benefits from — and contributes to — the city’s efforts to promote active travel. The proximity to Nottingham Station, Broad Marsh bus station and bus/tram stops, also ensures regional accessibility, enabling patients from surrounding areas to reach diagnostic services without relying heavily on private transport. We have been proud to have been a part of this project from its concept stages to near completion on site and look forward to seeing the facility open its doors to the public in late 2026. ■ www.leonard.design ‘Each sub-waiting area has a subtle distinguishing colour, expressed through seating, ceilings and finer finishes to support intuitive wayfinding’ 14, 15, 16, 17. Nottingham CDC Regeneration Hub.indd 17 15/01/2026 16:56
healthcare buildings forum 020 8288 1080 www.hbf-scotland.co.uk meet. connect. do business. A leading business event for the Scottish education building industry The education building forum - Scotland provides the perfect platform for local authorities, university estates, college and school leaders, project managers, architects, contractors and other senior level professionals to meet with leading industry suppliers, over a day and a half, through an informative and relaxed social programme to create lasting business relationships. Secure your space today Attend as a complimentary buyer georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk Attend as a supplier julian@stable-events.co.uk 19 - 20 March 2026 Cameron House Loch Lomond, Scotland hbf-s ad 2026.indd 1 15/01/2026 09:48 HDM Adverts Jan 26.indd 18 15/01/2026 11:39
healthcaredm.co.uk 19 MODULAR BUILDINGS Memorial Hospital CDC Rob Few, deputy director of Estates and Facilities at East Cheshire NHS Trust, and Martin Irvine, senior business development manager for Premier Modular, talk to hdm editor Helen Adkins about the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Congleton War Memorial Hospital, and the use of modular buildings to complete the project HELEN ADKINS: Martin, you’ve worked in the modular building industry since 1997, and have been at Premier Modular for five years. How long have you been working on the Congleton project? MARTIN IRVINE: This project kicked off at the end of 2023, beginning of 2024. It’s been quite a long project for such a relatively simple structure. Architecturally, it’s quite challenging, even though it’s not a large building. The project itself involved a significant amount of demolition, and interfacing with existing facilities and service buildings. The process was subject to Martin Irvine Rob Few budget challenges and changes to the design, so it has taken longer than we would have liked. The client had worked with an architect originally, who took it through planning. It’s a fantastic design, but not all the elements traditionally lent themselves to an offsite, modular solution. At Premier Modular, we work with clients at the feasibility stage all the time. My advice to anyone considering a modular building solution would be to get some input from industry specialists as soon as possible. Rob, could you explain how you became involved following the initial tender process after reviewing the architect’s initial concept design? ROBERT FEW: Initially, we got a Stage Two RIBA pack, which included some information about services, what they wanted to run in the building, some architectural plans and elevations, and 3D visualisations. We then had to pull a number and a programme together and bid it through the NHS SPSS framework, which we won at that stage. Then we had to pick up that design and provide support initially during planning, so we commented on what could be done and what needed to be changed to get it through planning.We then brought in our own architect to run through the final solution. Once planning was obtained, we moved forward again. Budget challenges meant some of the finishes had to change, including external and roof finishes. We challenged the planners to see if we could make these changes, given the public money involved. We maintained most of the design but adjusted some materials to make it more affordable. That was the biggest challenge – balancing the architectural vision against what’s achievable within the NHS budget. >> Congleton War 19, 20, 21, 22. Congelton CDC – modular buildings.indd 19 15/01/2026 16:31
20 healthcaredm.co.uk MODULAR BUILDINGS And how did the build progress after that initial stage? RF: CDCs are quite widely recognised within the NHS as the direction of travel. We were lucky enough to put a successful bid together to demonstrate that this was required for us as a Trust, to push those services out into the community and make sure we are providing community services in the right place. That followed a business case through the internal organisation, and probably two years ago now, NHS England approved it. This one sits alongside an existing hospital. The Trust has three sites – Macclesfield, Knutsford, Congleton, and five care communities across East Cheshire providing a range of services. Congleton is generally a step-down 28-bed ward with an array of community services on site. All those services are required in the area, but the building was built over 100 years ago. We saw the opportunity because that building was restricted in what we could provide. We withdrew some services, provided them temporarily in the community, built a new facility and managed to restructure the site. It’s been really beneficial. We haven’t lost any services whatsoever. Why go down the modern methods of construction route? Is that more common these days within the NHS? RF: It is. Before joining the NHS, I was in modular construction for ten years, so I’m quite experienced in what you can and can’t do, and the reality of modular construction. With the site being a brownfield site, with lots of demolition, it lent itself to the crane position and the speed at which some off-site works could be done. We also went a little above and beyond by adding architectural features, so instead of looking like a simple one- or two-storey rectangular building, it looks very contemporary. It was really important for me and the Trust to make it a showcase project for the people of Congleton. What are the challenges involved when using modular construction? MI: One of the first considerations when we met the project manager during the tender process was the transport logistics. There are a lot of low bridges and narrow roads around here, so we were concerned as to how we were to get the modules on site. At that point, no one had looked at that. We had to work a way in. It still wasn’t the simplest solution because the preferred route, through a residential area, had a PROJECT SUMMARY Name: Congleton War Memorial Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) Location: Congleton War Memorial Hospital, Canal Road, Congleton, Cheshire Client/owner: East Cheshire NHS Trust Cost: £5 million — awarded by NHS England under the national Community Diagnostics Programme Construction: Premier Modular Buildings www.premiermodular.co.uk Services to be provided: • Imaging and diagnostics: X-ray, non- obstetric ultrasound (NOUS) • Cardio-respiratory physiological testing: ECG, echocardiograms, other physiological measurements • Ophthalmology services: new eye-care clinics launched July 2024, with capacity for 4,000+ patients/year (e.g. for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease) • Additional diagnostic pathways (to be developed over time) including tests typically done via GP referrals or outpatient screening pathways 19, 20, 21, 22. Congelton CDC – modular buildings.indd 20 15/01/2026 16:31
healthcaredm.co.uk 21 MODULAR BUILDINGS upgraded the electrical infrastructure to the Congleton site, which is now fit for purpose for the future. That was a real achievement. On sustainability, what kind of materials are you using? Are they recycled? MI: That’s always an interesting discussion. Rob comes from an off-site background where, although you recycle materials, the main goal is to have no waste. You try to buy the right components in the right lengths and sizes as part of the design, so you don’t cut pieces off unnecessarily. weight limit, so we had to leaflet the whole town and get special dispensation. There were still some unhappy people, who we managed to deal with. It was a challenge, but the key thing was doing that early, ensuring there was a way to get the modules in, looking at the challenges, and making sure it could be done when we submitted our bid. RF: Another challenge was the power supply to the site. The electricity comes from the mains to the south. We wanted to make the new CDC facility 100% electric, running from sustainable sources, and provide a platform to build on the site in the future if the opportunity arises. We mitigated that with a lot of planning and communication with the Distribution Network Operator. We successfully ‘My advice to anyone considering a modular building solution would be to get some input from industry specialists as soon as possible’ Where waste does occur, particularly in the factory, we segregate it completely. Premier, as a business, is a zero waste to landfill business, in that nothing from our factory goes to landfill. Minimal waste is either recycled back into the supply chain – such as offcuts of plasterboard, insulation, cladding – or what cannot be recycled goes into the power waste stream and is burnt for power generation. Nothing is buried. On site, it’s always more challenging, but we try to manage materials carefully. We segregate waste, return what we can, >> 19, 20, 21, 22. Congelton CDC – modular buildings.indd 21 15/01/2026 16:31
22 healthcaredm.co.uk MODULAR BUILDINGS ‘We also went a little above and beyond by adding architectural features, so instead of looking like a simple one- or two-storey rectangular building, it looks very contemporary’ and the rest goes back through our waste supplier for managed disposal. Is modular construction becoming increasingly more common in the NHS? RF: It depends on the project. Some lean towards traditional builds, especially adaptations, but you can’t underestimate modern methods of construction. For example, the waste recycling within a modular factory is much more controlled than on a typical building site, where waste goes to skips and off-site disposal with extra charges. Modular construction also offers benefits like knowing the layout and column positions in advance, which helps productivity and speed. For certain projects, such as wards with unit beds, modular is very suitable. Are you pleased about the final result? And have you had any feedback? RF: When you work on building sites or hospitals, you often come up against many challenges. When you go to Congleton, the impact is different because people really worried the hospital may have closed. When I met people on site surveys, they said: ‘No, we don’t mind. We’re just happy to see money well spent and not going back into the old Congleton hospital.’ We’ve talked with the council about improving bus routes to and from the site. We’re not there yet, but it’s in the plans. MI: Some cladding materials changed and some elevations were changed, but the ethos of the build with the vaulted roof remains. Typical modular buildings tend to be rectangular and square, but we delivered an additional structure here to create an interesting entrance area with lots of natural light. Patients are often anxious coming for diagnostics, so big open spaces help reduce that anxiety. We matched the architecture of the existing two-storey building, and I think it looks fantastic. ■ 19, 20, 21, 22. Congelton CDC – modular buildings.indd 22 15/01/2026 16:31
2G Energy Ltd. | 01928 718533 | sales@2-g.com | 2-g.com Reliable Power for Healthcare Our hydrogen-ready CHP systems deliver dependable heat and electricity directly on site, ensuring healthcare facilities can keep critical services running without disruption. With proven cost savings and built-in resilience, 2G solutions give hospitals and clinics the confidence to focus on care, not energy risk. • Cost savings – cut energy bills with highly efficient on-site heat and power generation • Flexible finance – tailored options to support capital or operational budgets • Net Zero ready – hydrogen-ready and designed to integrate with heat pumps and PV, supporting long-term decarbonisation goals • Designed for every site – CHP solutions from 20 kW to 2,500 kW • Fully supported – remote monitoring & scheduled maintenance Find out how much you can save with CHP today! © iStock Because critical services can’t afford to stop HDM Adverts Jan 26.indd 23 15/01/2026 11:39
24 healthcaredm.co.uk TECHNOLOGY Creating a smart estate with a digital twin Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has launched a digital twin spanning six hospitals, creating a unified, data-rich model of its estate. We look at how the move is transforming space management and compliance workflows, as well as underpinning new smart-estate capabilities across the Trust Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) has taken a major step in its digital transformation journey with the launch of a digital twin covering six of its hospitals. The 3D model – designed to consolidate previously disparate estates data into a single, interactive environment – went live in October 2025 and is already supporting improvements in operational efficiency, space planning and patient safety, and sets the stage for a new generation of smart-hospital applications, from indoor navigation to real-time asset tracking. Created using Esri UK’s GIS platform, the digital twin visualises 274,000 square metres of internal floorspace across Manchester Royal Infirmary, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Altrincham Hospital and Withington Community Hospital. BIS Consult, the Trust’s strategic data partner, developed the data strategy and oversaw the integration of information from multiple systems, including CAFM and CAD datasets. For a Trust of MFT’s scale – employing over 28,000 staff and managing one of the UK’s most complex healthcare estates – the ability to centralise building, asset and space information marks a significant shift from traditional paperbased processes. David Bailey, head of Digital Estates at MFT, explains that the model is already proving its value: ‘Moving from analogue to digital achieves a better understanding of our buildings and assets, which helps improve their management and maintenance, as well as improving patient safety… Integrating all of our existing data into one 3D model has created the foundation for building a digital twin and is driving new opportunities for efficiency gains.’ 24, 25, 26. Manchester digital twin.indd 24 15/01/2026 16:59
healthcaredm.co.uk 25 TECHNOLOGY Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the UK, employing over 28,000 staff. www.mft.nhs.uk/the-trust Esri is the global market leader in Geographic Information System (GIS) software. UK healthcare customers include the UK Health Security Agency, Public Health Scotland, Airedale General Hospital and NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit. www.esriuk.com/health BIS Consult are digital twin and smart estate consultants, with experience in delivering digital transformation for Estates organisations in the UK public sector. In partnership with Esri UK, they provide a combination of consultancy services and information management solutions, which can be rapidly deployed and integrated with legacy systems infrastructure, to maximise benefits while reducing the cost and risk of major IT transformation. www.bisconsult.co.uk UNDERSTANDING SPACE, AT A GLANCE Space utilisation has been one of the first areas to benefit from the new system. Estates teams are trialling the digital twin to gain rapid insight into how rooms and departments are being used, identifying under-utilised areas that would previously have required timeconsuming manual analysis. A full roll-out will give staff across all six hospitals a real-time view of occupancy levels and space requests, while clinicians will be able to explore facilities virtually when planning new services. The Trust expects this to reduce bottlenecks, speed up service redesign and unlock efficiencies across its busy urban estate. STRENGTHENING RAAC AND ASBESTOS COMPLIANCE The digital twin has also accelerated safety-critical work, particularly in the management of RAAC and asbestos. Using mobile digital surveys that update the 3D model instantly, teams can now see risk levels spatially and prioritise maintenance more accurately. The impact is already measurable. At one hospital site, digitising asbestos management alone has cut administrative preparation time by up to 10 days each month – time that can now be redirected to higher-value safety work. More accurate and timely data is also strengthening compliance and simplifying the reporting process. With six hospitals now live on the system, MFT is preparing to expand the digital twin to include the remaining four hospitals within its estate. This phase will also see the digitisation of building condition surveys, replacing spreadsheet-based workflows with mobile data capture that flows directly into the 3D environment. Once complete, estates teams will have a clearer, Trust-wide picture of the maintenance backlog, enabling better prioritisation of resources. Energy usage data will also be integrated into the model to support efforts to reduce consumption and improve sustainability across the estate. Duncan Booth, head of Health & Social Care at Esri UK said: ‘Indoor mapping is playing a central role in the modernisation of MFT’s estates and facilities department by giving users situational awareness of the entire site.’ >> 24, 25, 26. Manchester digital twin.indd 25 15/01/2026 16:59
26 healthcaredm.co.uk TECHNOLOGY KEY FACTS Hospitals: • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Saint Mary’s Hospital • Altrincham Hospital • Withington Community Hospital Internal floorspace mapped 274,000 m² Technology platform Esri UK’s GIS system, incorporating indoor mapping, spatial analysis, navigation and asset tracking Strategic data partner BIS Consult Initial benefits • Faster, more accurate RAAC and asbestos management • Up to 10 days per month saved on asbestos reporting at one site • Better visibility of occupancy and room utilisation • Centralised, single source of estates data replacing disparate systems Planned next steps • Mapping of four remaining hospitals • Digital building condition surveys • Integration of energy usage data • Indoor navigation for patients and staff • Digital asset tracking • Patient movement and contact tracing tools This level of visibility marks a significant evolution in how NHS estates can be managed. Booth adds: ‘Optimising the use of existing buildings and making RAAC and asbestos management more efficient are the first of many benefits. Already used at airports, universities and industrial sites, the technology is now seeing rapid growth in healthcare.’ BUILDING TOWARDS A TRULY SMART ESTATE Looking ahead, MFT’s digital twin is set to become the foundation for a wide spectrum of future applications. Indoor navigation tools for patients and staff could reduce missed appointments and improve wayfinding across the busy Oxford Road campus. Real-time asset tracking could help locate beds, wheelchairs and diagnostic equipment more quickly, reducing delays and improving utilisation. Meanwhile, digital contact tracing could strengthen infection control by mapping patient movements more precisely. These capabilities align with broader NHS ambitions to modernise estates using data and location intelligence. For MFT, they signal a long-term commitment to embedding digital tools into daily operations, creating a smarter, more responsive environment for both staff and patients. Nicholas Campbell-Voegt, director at BIS Consult said: ‘By creating a single source of truth for assets and space, MFT is paving the way for a new standard in how Trusts manage their estates.’ Campbell-Voegt believes the Trust’s work offers an example for others to follow: ‘The approach provides a blueprint that other NHS organisations can follow, helping build smarter, safer and more sustainable healthcare environments.’ A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE As pressures on NHS estates continue to mount – aged infrastructure, rising backlog maintenance and increasing demand for flexibility – MFT’s digital twin demonstrates how digital innovation can offer practical, scalable solutions. By unifying data and making it meaningful in a spatial, visual format, the Trust has unlocked new ways of managing its estate more effectively and safely. The initial results are already compelling. But as the system grows, it has the potential to become an essential tool in shaping the next generation of healthcare facilities – smarter, safer and better connected than ever before. ■ 24, 25, 26. Manchester digital twin.indd 26 15/01/2026 16:59
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=