As we continue planning for Neighbourhood Health Centres (NHCs), understanding what the existing estate can realistically support has never been more important.
Before committing to refurbishments, new builds or service relocations, you need a clear, evidence-based picture of how buildings are currently being used and whether they can support future neighbourhood care models.
That means moving beyond assumptions and using evidence to understand:
- how buildings are currently being used
- where there is hidden capacity
- which spaces are underutilised
- and where opportunities may exist to optimise or consolidate estate
Utilisation monitoring by NHS Open Space, developed by NHS Property Services, helps provide that evidence base.
By combining sensor technology, utilisation insight and estate data, NHS Open Space helps organisations assess whether their existing estate could be adapted, optimised or consolidated before investing in costly new space.
Importantly, this approach can help our customers:
- identify viable locations for NHCs
- understand which buildings may no longer be fit for purpose
- uncover opportunities for shared or flexible use
- and make more confident, defensible estate decisions
And by undergoing utilisation monitoring with NHS Open Space, you get access to NHS Property Services’ end-to-end service offer to translate insight into action.
But, before all that, one of the questions we’re most commonly asked is: “What does the utilisation monitoring process actually involve?”
While every organisation’s requirements are different, our onboarding and delivery process typically follows nine key stages.
Step one: Prepare and validate estate information
Every project begins with preparation.
We review floor plans, validate estate information and agree the project scope, objectives and timelines. This ensures the monitoring approach is aligned to the outcomes you’re trying to achieve from the outset.
Step two: Mobilise the project and align stakeholders
We then hold a mobilisation and kick-off session with key stakeholders.
This helps align operational, estates and strategic teams around:
- project goals
- timelines
- governance
- and expected outcomes
Getting alignment early is critical to a successful study.
Step three: Engage stakeholders and prepare communications
Utilisation monitoring works best when stakeholders understand both the purpose and the benefits.
We support organisations with communication templates and engagement materials to help explain:
- why the study is taking place
- how the data will be used
- and how the findings could support future estate decisions
This helps build trust and reduce resistance to change later in the process.
Step four: Gather data and assess the site
At this stage, we collect and align the information needed to support the project.
This can include:
- room and space classifications
- tenant information
- building data
- floor plan reviews
- and site visits to confirm operational requirements
The more accurate the baseline information, the more valuable the final insight becomes.
Step five: Install sensors and complete quality assurance
Sensors are installed across agreed spaces and tested to ensure the system is capturing accurate and reliable data.
Quality assurance checks are completed before the project goes live, helping ensure confidence in the findings from day one.
Step six: Launch
We immediately start to create a real-time picture of how rooms and spaces are actually being used — helping organisations move beyond assumptions and anecdotal feedback.
Step seven: Create a bespoke utilisation dashboard
Utilisation data is then combined with property and operational information within a bespoke dashboard environment.
This enables organisations to visualise:
- utilisation trends
- occupancy patterns
- peak usage periods
- and opportunities for optimisation across their estate
Step eight: Provide updates and produce the final report
Throughout the study, we provide project updates and emerging insights.
At the end of the monitoring period, organisations receive a detailed final report outlining key findings, trends and opportunities identified through the data.
Step nine: Deliver data-backed recommendations and next steps
This is where insight becomes action.
Using the findings from the study, we work with our estate strategy experts here at NHS Property Services to identify practical next steps, which may include:
- estate consolidation
- service relocation
- flexible space models
- improved room scheduling
- or identifying suitable locations for future NHC development
The goal is to ensure decisions are evidence-based, realistic and aligned to long-term estate strategy.
For timebound studies, sensors are then removed once the agreed monitoring period has ended.
This is carried out with minimal disruption to operational teams and services.
Building a stronger evidence base for NHCs
When planning NHCs, understanding how your estate is currently performing is one of the most important first steps.
Utilisation monitoring helps organisations build the evidence base needed to:
- optimise existing estate
- reduce unnecessary costs
- support integrated care models
- and make more confident investment decisions
Before committing to new space, it’s worth understanding the full potential of the estate you already have — because the answer may already exist within your current footprint.
