DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Modular is the key to an efficient, sustainable NHS
The NHS faces unprecedented pressures from spikes in winter demand and soaring waiting lists. In response, the government confirmed an investment into hundreds of new Neighbourhood Health Centres to deliver services across the country. Designed to expand access to routine, preventative and early-intervention care by bringing facilities closer to people’s homes, they have committed to building 250 centres by the end of the decade, with 120 expected to be operational by 2030. Meeting this ambition requires a construction approach that is fast, flexible and cost efficient, writes Premier Modular CEO David Harris.
Right: The new health centres will be multi- service care facilities.
Modular facilities can be constructed offsite in a factory-controlled environment, then transported and assembled.
We need to meet this ambition while ensuring government Net Zero and sustainability criteria is taken into account. By combining rapid, cost- effective offsite construction with built-in flexibility, thoughtful design and supporting Net Zero through construction, materials and integrated renewables, modular will enable the government to deliver high-quality, modern and sustainable facilities at pace across the UK to improve access to healthcare. The new health centres will be multi-service care facilities, making it easier for patients to get the help they need without navigating multiple systems or locations. These ‘one stop shops’ will bring the right local combination of GPs, nurses, dentists and pharmacists together under one roof to best meet the needs of the community.
Longer term plans This approach aligns with the government’s wider 10 Year Health Plan for England, published in July 2025, which sets out a long-term vision for transforming the NHS, with
neighbourhood health playing a central role. Currently, many people cannot get a GP or dental appointment, waiting lists for hospital and community care have ballooned and staff are demoralised and demotivated. For example, the waiting list for hospital treatment remains higher than pre pandemic levels, and the number of people visiting A&E in 2025 was above pre-pandemic levels. The government’s approach aims to revitalise access to general practice, while enabling hospitals to focus on providing world class specialist care to those who need it. Specifically at times of heightened demand, for example, when the NHS faces winter overcrowding, community health centres will be used to relieve pressure by offering dependable access to in demand services.
How can this vision be delivered in practice? To meet the government’s ambitious healthcare infrastructure goals, new health centres must be delivered rapidly, and facilities managers will need to utilise Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to accelerate delivery. For example, modular facilities can be constructed offsite in a factory-controlled environment, then transported and assembled. Because the groundworks and module production can happen simultaneously, the overall process is significantly shortened, often taking just half the time of traditional construction. Factory-controlled processes and shorter timelines help reduce the risk of unexpected issues, such as delays due to onsite weather or staffing problems.
56 Health Estate Journal February 2026
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