But how do you identify the right properties to develop to support changing local healthcare demands?
In my previous blog: Assessing demand and supply: What does this mean when it comes to the NHS estate? I explained what we meant by assessing space demand and property supply.
In this blog, I’ll take you through the process step-by-step and share some practical tips. To help you make informed choices and challenge assumptions, to build an estate that’s fit for the future, supports integrated care, and makes the most of every square metre.
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Bring everyone to the table
45%* of estate leaders say poor collaboration, especially between commissioners, managers, and occupiers, is one of the biggest barriers to understanding how space is actually used.
Indeed, different stakeholders may have different opinions - or assumptions - on how space is used. So it’s important to work collaboratively right from the start.
Get commissioners, service leads, and occupiers talking and sharing data. And don’t shy away from challenging assumptions throughout the process to help build a clear picture of what’s really needed.
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Start with patients, not property
It can be tempting to look at your estate first, but to put patients first, consider the local population’s healthcare needs and ask:
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What are the health trends in my area?
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What services are growing?
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What does the workforce need to deliver care effectively?
The community’s healthcare needs will inform the space demands. For more detail on what this means and the range of factors to consider, read my blog: Assessing demand and supply: What does this mean when it comes to the NHS estate?
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Assess what you have
Once you understand demand, it's time to review your supply. Property supply refers to the quantity and quality of your estate and the specific space available. Ask yourself:
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What buildings do we have?
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How are they being used?
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What condition are they in?
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Are they in the right place?
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Are they being used well?
Your estates team or property advisors like NHS Property Services can help you assess what’s working and what’s not. Get more details on the factors to consider in my previous blog.
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Ask ‘what if’ before you commit
Create scenarios and challenge your first thoughts by asking “what if?.”
What if a request for 1000m² could be reduced to 700 m² if you adopt digital solutions and flexible working? How does that change your supply options? Scenario planning helps you stay agile and make smarter choices.
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Use data to challenge assumptions
Only 18%* of estate leaders are currently using sensors to assess space utilisation, despite 87%* saying that improving utilisation is influencing their estate strategy.
This is where we advise using utilisation monitoring to gather real data on how space is actually being used. This gives you the evidence you need to challenge assumptions, spot opportunities, and make a robust case for change.
Read chapter three in our Estate Optimisation Guide to learn about the different types of monitoring and how to set this up.
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Keep assessing
Understanding space demand and property supply isn’t a one-off task. It’s something you revisit as services evolve. Build in regular reviews, keep checking your assumptions and stay open to new ways of working to keep your estate looking to the future.
Looking for more tips?
If you’re looking for more in-depth guidance, our NHS Estate Optimisation Guide is packed with expert advice, practical tools and real-world examples to help optimise your estate.
*That’s what we learnt from our Space Optimisation Survey Feb-March 2025 from 21 leaders from across the NHS.
