Improving Space Utilisation

Making best use of high quality estate helps make public money go further and enables better patient care. 

CHP is committed to improving the space utilisation across the LIFT portfolio and maximising its value to patients and service providers.  

Our 308 NHS LIFT buildings are modern health buildings, part funded through public capital, and are continually maintained to a high standard. These buildings are recognised as long term core assets.  CHP works closely with local health systems to continually identifying opportunities to improve their use especially for the co-location and integration of out of hospital health and care services for which they were designed.   

We work closely with customers and partners to develop plans to reduce un-let space in our buildings and make the space as well utilised as possible for the benefit of patients, staff and the health system. 

Healthcare system planning is complex and we recognise that a shared vision with commitment from the right partners is the best way of improving space utilisation. 

CHP has developed a toolkit for improving and maintaining the utilisation of our buildings taking lessons learnt from areas of success and best practice. Our Utilisation Toolkit is highlights five key areas: 

Engagement 

Engaging with the right people, from the right organisations at the right time is critical to any successful change project. A planned and sustained approach to engagement backed by commitment from those organisations from decision makers who can make things happen. 

Data and technology 

Data combined with intelligent analysis is a powerful tool to drive engagement and inform decision making. We use reporting tools such as from booking data and utilisation monitors to enhance our understanding of the use of space. 

Shared vision 

Agreeing a shared vision ensures that all stakeholders buy in to what the project is trying to achieve and are working towards the same objectives. 

Governance 

Delivering better building utilisation requires partnership and collaboration. Good governance ensures that everyone is clear on their responsibilities and decisions are made in a timely manner. 

Delivering change 

Improving building utilisation is the output of the strands of activity covered by the stages above. Opportunities to improve utilisation usually require dedicated projects around a particular issue in one building, rolling into more benefits elsewhere and a culture of improvement that all the stakeholders recognise as lasting benefits. Our Toolkit contains several examples. 

If you have any queries about improving space utilisation or wish to enquire about space in one of our buildings, please contact your Senior Portfolio Manager.