FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Portering efficiency and strategic patient needs
With modern healthcare systems experiencing growing patient demand, there is increasing pressure to balance operational efficiency with strategic priorities. Bradley Watson, portering and post manager, estates and facilities, at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, examines the role of NHS portering teams in facilitating this, focusing on patient transfers, the interplay between operational metrics, providing invaluable insights into the department’s efficiencies, and hospital-wide patient flow imperatives. He highlights the challenges that come with these and explores whether alternative or joint metrics could provide a more unified measure of success.
+33%
Cardiovascular disease admissions 2015-2020
+11%
Dementia diagnoses 2015-2023
+25%
Diabetes cases increase
2015-2022
Top: Rising prevalence of chronic conditions — increased admissions and diagnoses for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia continue to drive demand and pressure on hospital capacity.
Below: Porters are central to patient flow, connecting every stage of the hospital journey — from emergency care to discharge.
The NHS faces increasing pressures in its goals of providing effective and efficient patient care due to a combination of challenges that directly impact patient flow and hospital operations. The ageing population has significantly increased demand for healthcare services. The number of over 65-year-olds have significantly increased in the last decade, resulting in more frequent hospital admissions, longer stays, and greater post-discharge support. Additionally, there has been a surge in the number of chronic conditions such as dementia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, placing further strain on hospital resources. Hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases alone have risen by 33 per cent between 2015 and 2020 (British Heart Foundation, 2021), the number of people living with diabetes rose by around 1 million between 2015 and 2022 (Diabetes UK, 2022), and the number of people diagnosed with dementia in the UK has grown from approximately 850,000 in 2015 to over 944,000 in 2023 (Alzheimer’s Society, 2023). As a result, inpatient capacity is under constant pressure, with many hospitals operating well beyond the recommended safe threshold for bed occupancy. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine reported
Discharge Wards
Hospital portering
Emergency department
that emergency departments are experiencing record- breaking attendance figures, with pressures resembling those of the winter period now persisting throughout the year. This combined with the rise in ambulance handover delays and corridor care reflects a system struggling to keep up with admission demand. The challenge however does not stop there because it is not simply about getting patients into hospital, it is equally about ensuring timely discharges. With a lack of community and social care provision there is frequently a delay in transfers of care resulting in further bottlenecks within the system, leading to bed shortages and cancelled procedures. These challenges are only further compounded with financial constraints by experienced within the NHS and persistent workforce shortages. This underscores the urgent need for organisations to embrace innovation, no matter how small, while fostering open communication to encourage fresh perspectives. By exploring, testing, and refining new ideas, we can empower hospitals to operate efficiently prioritising the well-being of our patients.
Surgery Imaging
The role of portering in hospital settings Portering, at its core, is about logistics and is responsible for the transportation of patients throughout the Hospital. However, the role of a porter isn’t limited to just patients, often being additionally accountable for the swift distribution of medical equipment, blood products,
52 Health Estate Journal February 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
