Forum 13 Key Takeaways

At Forum 13, we explored the importance of standardization within healthcare construction.

Event in summary;

The Forum was hosted by one of our founders; Specialist Door Solutions (SDS), at their headquarters based in Hampshire and we finished the day with a factory tour.

We were joined by healthcare professionals and experts from key organisations such as BDP, Ryder Architecture, NHS, NHP, Kier Construction and MTC. The day was structured around presentations from 6 main groups, consisting of contractors, manufacturers, NHS staff, NHP representatives and architects and provided an in-depth exploration into the importance of standardization from each of the groups’ point of view.

Experts share from their point of view;

NHP;

The day was kicked off by Krystle Drover (KPMG), who explored Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) strategy and expressed how important it is to attain a clear understanding from users with regards to what they require. In many cases, the client will believe they need ‘X’ when really they need ‘Y’ but as they are unaware of this, key conversations need to be had in order to establish the best solution and decide next steps.

Krystle went on to emphasise the importance of early upfront input which will ultimately drive the output such as lifecycle costs, multiple supplier offerings, maintaining close relationships between manufacturers and clients, understanding quality, considering robustness and longevity concerns and more. The overall point emphasised is that if you know what you are looking for in a component then it is easier to input this into a standard or repeatable element or design.

The presentation concluded with a mini brief of how the NHP Product catalogue will track benefits of individual products for clients, how they are looking at incorporating feedback from suppliers and the industry into HBN/HTMs and how workshops; showcasing standardized products (i.e. MTC standard rooms), are being considered as future endeavours.

NHS Trusts do not have a standardised or uniformed approach leading to constant reinvention of product or scheme design. Standardization is seen as the key to driving flexibility and functionality. What is needed in one hospital will always be needed in others.

NHS;

Tim Wilkins (Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust) expressed that from the NHS perspective, standardization is considered key and of a great benefit to patients as well as staff. This is seen especially when it comes to the costs of running the building, building structures such as grid storey heights, bathroom pods, bedhead units and standard 32 bed wards.

Matthew Morris (Ryder Architecture) followed on with a presentation that shared information on their Cohort 2 (opening 2024/2025); where the focus was on trying to build a non-clinical design and using standardization to achieve a successful delivery of the project.

Their client was looking for an innovative design that would provide a sense of nature, flexibility and would allow for patients to be able to use amenities whilst encouraging them to come out of their rooms. The result was an achievement of 81% standardized repeatable rooms, that not only enhanced from P22 but also suited patient needs around dual support within the rooms.

Standardization and repeatability work hand in hand and can be highly beneficial if incorporated correctly. As we move forward, it is becoming more apparent that there is a significant rise in interest in standardization especially in relation to multiple bed wards.

Architect;

Paul Johnson (BDP) continued the discussion and underlined how we all incorporate standardization but in different ways and how BDP were trying to achieve a balance between repeatable rooms and uniqueness in a way that would ensure that they didn’t lose the ‘architect joy’.

Finding the right balance between flexibility and standardization is key. One way of doing this is by taking the decision making out of it. Another way is by sharing guides on repeatable elements and sharing feedback so that everyone is on the same page and understands how it all ties together. The main goal with any sort of standardization should be 80% standard repeatability and 20% unique to its function.

Paul mentioned how BDP are working with the NHSE to join up thinking and briefly touched upon the ‘Duffle Coat’ concept in relation to the WW’s and stated how the 3 different sizes of coats was fit for purpose and fit for all and how the industry should take this into consideration when looking into standardization and its use.

Standardization is seen as a way of architects taking away the pressure of responsibility from clinical users as well as this being a better way of designing as standard models that can easily be adapted as and when they need be to suit different client or patient groups.

The Nightingale COVID projects looked at functionality and then moved forward at a rapid pace with engagement on repeatability resulting in a great success. So why not continue this engagement process?

Contractor;

Matt Griffiths (Kier Construction) encouraged us to look at standardization from a risk perspective and touched upon how there is an opportunity for a significant cost reduction through using MMC.

Standardization is considered by many as the way forward. Not only can it reduce manual handling but can also control quality with offsite installations. After hearing reports that approximately 300 construction workers died onsite in 2022, more contractors are seeing the benefits in standardization and how incorporating MMC can help to reduce top risks to onsite workers and they are evolving.

It’s time to explore the alternatives and to see what else we can do to grow as an industry to reduce risk while providing fit-for-purpose solutions for clients, from Health & Safety on sites, to cladding, to internal joinery.

Manufacturer;

Whilst many can see the benefits to standardization within the healthcare construction industry, some still consider this to be a challenge within the country culturally. It is suggested that we need to rebalance and to find the best national approach to standardization for all trusts.

Bradley Ford and Connor Burdett (SDS) continued the conversations sharing from a manufacturers point of view, how standardization can:

- Reduce strain and complications, variations, lifetime costs and lead times

- Enable quicker architect sign off, build time and fast tracking

- Simplify installations

- Increase sustainability

Standardization is deemed as the key drive towards improving efficiencies across the board, ultimately resulting in the industry effectively meeting the high demands of end users and the market. It allows for predictability in costs and ‘off the shelf’ product availability.

With the economy facing many challenges especially with the rise in living costs, now is the time to really instil the lessons learned over the past few years and to continue looking into how we as an industry can create the health facilities of tomorrow that will last through the test of time.

MTC;

To conclude the presentations for the day, Abbie Romano (MTC) explored standardization in terms of the various platforms and hubs offered by MTC and provided a breakdown of how these could be used effectively and could positively impact the industry.

There is a wealth of resources out there such as traditional construction to manufacturing transformation, supply chain readiness levels, methodology of offsite construction and more. These are documents that provide the knowledge and guidelines behind standardization and how we as an industry can go about reaping the benefits of this going forward.

With all that is available to us in terms of knowledge, expertise and guidance, there is nothing stopping us from standardizing across the board.

In summary;

To be able to create better healthcare facilities of tomorrow, it has never been more vital than now to look back over processes and focus on what we should be doing rather than what we are currently doing.

Standardization is not only seen as being a key step within healthcare construction but is seen as the key drive for streamlining processes, saving on budgets and reducing timeframes, ultimately enabling the industry to be able to effectively manage high demands within the market. It will also be instrumental in delivering any large program of healthcare works.

We look forward to our next forum where we will be exploring the project and lifecycle considerations of healthcare facilities that will enable them to stay relevant for future generations.