DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Modular solutions provide healthcare organisations with greater financial flexibility, as units can be leased for short or long durations to suit specific needs.
David Harris
David Harris is CEO and managing director of Premier Modular. Established in 1956, Premier Modular Limited is one of the UK’s leading offsite manufacturing and modular building specialists. Based in the UK and Europe, the company provides permanent and temporary solutions to organisations in multiple sectors including healthcare, education, commercial and industrial, and infrastructure. Committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2040, Premier Modular minimises its impact on the environment by using sustainably procured materials, sending zero waste to landfill and incorporating renewable energy technologies into its buildings where possible.
design. Modules can be fitted with features, such as high ceilings, open-plan layouts, generous internal spaces, and large windows to maximise natural light, which have all been shown to support mental wellbeing and enhance the patient experience. Based on what the specific Trust requires, modules can be designed with careful spatial planning to create accessible, welcoming environments conducive to recovery and breakout and rest areas for staff to promoting morale, wellbeing, and workforce retention. In 2020, the NHS became the first healthcare system in
the world to commit to achieving Net Zero emissions, and it’s crucial that any new construction projects align with decarbonisation targets. Modular offers a fundamentally more sustainable approach than traditional construction by reducing carbon emissions across the entire build lifecycle. Precise, offsite manufacturing minimises waste from the outset, as components are produced to exact specifications, resulting in fewer offcuts and wasted materials. The sustainable procurement and application of materials adds to modular’s green credentials. Timber, light-gauge steel and other responsibly sourced goods are the pillars of modular construction, helping to limit the embodied carbon of the buildings produced. NHS organisations are increasingly embedding
zero-waste and circular economy principles into their sustainability planning, and modular construction can play a key role in supporting these goals. Circular solutions focus on use and reuse rather than excessive consumption, and the repurposing of modular rental units is among the most circular approaches in construction today. Modules are designed to be easily installed, used, disassembled, and redeployed multiple times. Innovative new technology, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM)
58 Health Estate Journal February 2026
tools, can be used to further optimise sustainable design, select low-carbon materials, and improve circularity across the wider supply chain. To help the NHS continually lower emissions and become Net Zero in operation while reducing energy costs, modular buildings can be easily fitted with renewable and environmental technology, including solar panels, green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems and ground source heat pumps. These features can be integrated into design from day one to optimise internal environments and save energy. The NHS is dedicated to reaching Net Zero carbon for its direct emissions (NHS Carbon Footprint) by 2040, and for indirect emissions (NHS Carbon Footprint Plus) by 2045. Scope 3 emissions account for indirect emissions across the value chain, such as building materials, transportation and waste management. By selecting partners who use sustainable materials, reduce waste and optimise the supply chains, healthcare facilities can drastically reduce their environmental impact, and the NHS can come closer to meeting its targets.
Environmental challenges As the government prepares to deliver a large number of neighbourhood health centres across the UK through the NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild Programme, the devil will be in the delivery, and estate managers will need to utilise MMC and modular solutions to address both operational and environmental challenges. By enabling rapid, cost- effective delivery, high quality flexible spaces, thoughtful design and cutting-edge sustainable practices, modular buildings will not only reduce disruption and costs, but also support patient care, staff wellbeing, and the NHS’s Net Zero ambitions.
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