Delivering modern Neighbourhood Health Centres should be straightforward
But today, it rarely is. Projects take years longer than they should. Costs rise, plans shift and patients wait far too long for the spaces their communities urgently need.
However, much of this can change. By standardising and streamlining how we plan and deliver new health facilities, we can unlock faster, smarter and more affordable progress.
A system held back by short-term thinking
Right now, the NHS faces a challenge that sounds simple but has huge consequences: capital budgets are too short-term. When funding is only agreed in short cycles, it becomes almost impossible to plan long-term.
This leads to a cycle we’ve seen again and again. Buildings age, maintenance is delayed and quality drops. And eventually, fixing problems becomes far more expensive than if we had invested early.
Longer-term capital budgets - like those proposed in the 10-year health plan - could change all of this. They would create the certainty needed to design facilities around long-term community health needs, rather than short-term financial limitations.
Why does building a health centre take so long?
In many cases, the construction itself isn’t the problem. A modern community health centre of around 2,000m² only takes about 13 months to physically build.
However, new builds are inherently more complex – higher costs/ budget commitments, planning and site complexities and decision making delay means it can typically take five to ten years to go from idea to opening.
In that time:
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Consultant fees accumulate
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Design briefs evolve
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Organisational and stakeholder changes
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Inflation increases costs
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Earlier assumptions become outdated
As a result, projects that once looked affordable suddenly don’t. Teams must go back to the drawing board. And local people wait even longer.
Better use of space, better value
Much of the cost of NHS buildings is determined by how space is used. But many buildings don’t make the most of the rooms, layouts or capacity they already have. In some areas, clinical rooms are underused by up to 50%*, and this is before we consider extended hours and weekend provision. In others, layouts and space allocation limit the number of services that can operate efficiently.
By optimising existing good quality buildings - reconfiguring rooms, updating infrastructure, modernising layouts, consolidating services, or adopting room booking systems – we can create the feeling of a “new” health centre without starting from scratch.
This is where standardisation helps. Shared templates for clinical spaces and clearer guidance on room requirements mean refurbishments can happen faster, with fewer surprises and fewer redesigns.
Smarter processes - not just more money - can make a major difference.
Find out more about our Healthy Places Programme - we have vast experience from completing 500 health projects since April 2020 including primary/ community care estate upgrades and developing buildings in line with NHC characteristics
Why standardisation matters
Healthcare buildings are becoming more complex. Infection control, sustainability standards and digital infrastructure mean there are more requirements than ever. But, complexity doesn't have to mean complication.
By standardising:
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clinical specifications
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space requirements
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construction approaches
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approval pathways
…we reduce cost, minimise delays, and create repeatable success.
Think of it as adopting a “kit of parts” mindset. When organisations use shared templates, clearer guidance and faster sign-off routes, everyone benefits. Especially patients.
The future: faster, more reliable delivery
Neighbourhood Health Centres are essential for shifting care closer to home. But not every community will require a brand-new building. More often, they need their current buildings to work better to provide access to a wide range of health and social care services.
To make them a reality, we must work together to make sure delivery becomes more predictable and less fragmented.
A streamlined system means:
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fewer surprises
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fewer redesigns
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fewer years lost to process
And ultimately, better healthcare delivered sooner.
If we embrace consistency and remove unnecessary complexity, we can create places that genuinely support healthier, happier neighbourhoods - without the long wait.
Find out more
In our new report, Making Neighbourhood Health Centres a Reality, we take a closer look at how the existing estate can support the delivery of NHCs.
The report includes our key recommendations and practical steps to deliver neighbourhood health services in improved facilities and at pace.
If you’re planning NHCs or transforming your space and want some support, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team below.
*Based on a NHSPS sensor rollout to 8 ICBs (90 buildings) as a proof of concept – average utilisation of 48%
