The UK's healthcare system faces ongoing challenges, from increasing demands on their services to budgetary constraints and more. The healthcare sector can streamline its processes and facilities by making its buildings more efficient and adaptable. The modular building industry offers the healthcare sector a solution to help with quality space solutions whilst managing tight budgets.
As the public's needs change, keeping up with the demand for healthcare services can be challenging. There is a growing realisation that traditional bricks-and-mortar structures may not be the most effective solution. Modular medical buildings offer the potential to transform healthcare operations in the UK.
The Benefits of Modular Healthcare Facilities
Modular buildings are known for their versatility and rapid construction; as such, they have provided advantages to industries needing quick, temporary spaces. However, organisations are realising modular buildings do not have to be short-term solutions and provide flexible spaces in the longer term.
Modular construction is quick, flexible and sustainable, but the benefits for the healthcare sector go beyond these common attributes. As a versatile and sustainable construction method, modular healthcare facilities can significantly improve patient care and optimise workplace efficiency. Not only that, but the modular process offers a cost-effective solution for the healthcare sector's space requirements.
Enhance Patient Care
When a healthcare trust aims to improve service delivery, the patient's needs are central to its plans. Modular buildings provide medical centres with an opportunity to enhance patient care by strategically reinventing the way their facilities are accessed.
The unique construction of modular buildings means that they can be placed almost anywhere. So, you can add extra space to an existing hospital site to tie in with current services. Alternatively, a modular building can be erected on an external site within the community you need to service.
Modular buildings provide an extremely accessible solution to construction, ensuring patients with mobility issues can access the care they need. In addition, to placing the new building in a suitable location, ramps and wider doors can be considered in the new building.
A modular building allows the healthcare sector to address specific patient needs. With their bespoke nature, they are designed to meet the requirements of the site. Multi-storey buildings can be constructed with a whole range of facilities. These buildings can include offices, wards, waiting areas, operating suites and catering facilities. Modular buildings can also be utilised as surgeries with private consulting rooms and comfortable reception areas. Selecting the size of the building means they can be considered for full hospital facilities, outpatient clinics or even mobile treatment centres.
Optimise Workflow and Efficiency
Patient needs have changed, and the population has increased over decades, which makes some hospitals unable to deliver the appropriate care. One respondent in a recent survey conducted by The British Medical Journal (The BMJ) highlighted the current issues faced in healthcare institutions. This NHS leader commented, "We operate 21st century healthcare from 19th century buildings. It is increasingly unsustainable".
Not only are some older hospitals not big enough to handle current demand, but for many, their layouts do not work anymore. The efficiency of a hospital or medical centre can be improved by looking at its layout. Reviewing the design of a building can often mean that the building is no longer fit for purpose. Modular medical buildings can either replace or expand current structures.
Modular buildings have the flexibility to create efficient workspaces for medical staff. Planning the layout of a modular building is a lot easier than with a traditional construction or existing structure. A carefully designed floor plan can optimise workflows and reduce bottlenecks, which makes operations more efficient.
Adapting to Changing Healthcare Demands
Modular buildings offer a level of flexibility that bricks-and-mortar cannot challenge. Modular healthcare suites are versatile enough to respond to the changing requirements of any medical organisation. The space in a modular building can be adjusted according to the hospital's needs. Walls and partitions can be added or removed easily without too much cost or disruption. Different fixtures and fittings can be changed as needed.
Whilst we have discussed how modular buildings are a long-lasting solution for any organisation, they can also be used for temporary situations. A surge in patient numbers that is not expected to last can find that a temporary building can ease the pressure.
A temporary modular building is also ideal for an emergency situation. Many NHS trusts across the UK employed modular buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the burden on their services. The modular building industry was called upon to provide extra beds for affected patients or vaccination clinics.
Cost-Effective Healthcare Solutions
The healthcare sector is affected by tight budgets, and the modular building industry is known for its cost-effectiveness. There are many ways that modular buildings help reduce the overall cost of construction, which provides benefits to the healthcare sector.
Modular buildings are more efficient than traditional construction in their budgets. There are fewer groundwork and labour costs involved in modular medical buildings. In addition, modular buildings use standardised components, which help predict your end cost and keep control of your budgets.
Modular buildings are also manufactured in a factory environment, which means the process is unaffected by the unpredictable British weather. Offering a more realistic timeline also means that hospitals are less likely to be faced with unexpected costs.
There is also a long-term cost benefit of choosing modular buildings. Modular medical buildings are well known for their energy efficiency, so running costs are reduced.
Modular Healthcare Facilities from Paragon Space
The team at Paragon Space have been manufacturing modular buildings for various sectors for over 15 years. Our experience means we can help to provide quality buildings to the healthcare sector that look after your patients and your budget.
We'll guide you through the design process and deliver a new modular medical building that assists in a streamlined operation. We'll help to make sure your new suite offers all the facilities you need and is installed with as little disruption as possible.
Contact our team today to arrange a quote.