sponsored by HEALTH SECTOR NEWS
Report says better design will save lives and money
A report published by the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) through its Built Environment Infection Prevention Initiative (BEIPI), reveals that antimicrobial resistance poses a mounting threat to patient safety and NHS budgets alike. Infections caused by resistant bacteria already cost the NHS an estimated £180 m per year - many linked to preventable design issues such as unsafe drainage systems and poor ventilation. The report calls for urgent action to embed infection prevention principles into every stage of hospital buildings, to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), reduce deaths and ease avoidable financial strain on the NHS. BEIPI was established in 2025 following a workshop, which for
Programme (NHP) and Institute of Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM), the prospectus sets out a shared vision to eliminate deaths from avoidable infections caused by poor design, minimise costly remediation and ensure every new UK healthcare facility advances the global fight against AMR. BEIPI’s expert group, which includes Arup, Currie & Brown, Frimley NHS Trust, Laing O’Rourke, P+HS Architects, UCLH and others, is now calling for infection prevention to be “built in from day one” of all future projects.
the first time brought together infection prevention specialists, architects, engineers and construction professionals to address the challenges of building hospitals that are safe from infection. “The very first requirement in a
hospital is that it should do the sick no harm,” said BEIPI Chair Ron Finlay,
Construction starts on Coventry CDC
NHS Property Services (NHSPS) welcomed the start of construction on a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Coventry at a ground-breaking ceremony. The new centre will offer earlier diagnosis of conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. It will open Monday to Friday which NHSPS says will reduce the need for patients to travel to hospital. Owned by NHSPS, the location was chosen because of its proximity to community services such as the Coventry Urgent Treatment Centre, local GP practices, and mental health services.
It is set to open in late 2026,
and see about 90,000 patients annually, providing up to 75,000 additional patient tests a year. Melvin Henry, Regional Capital
Programme manager (Midlands) at NHS Property Services, said: “This ground-breaking ceremony signifies the start of works on a multi-million-pound development which will transform the building into a dedicated CDC. “NHS Property Services is focused on delivering a better NHS estate that is fit for the future by investing in and refurbishing buildings where our NHS colleagues can deliver excellent patient care.”
NHSPS will be working with Tilbury Douglas on the project.
echoing Florence Nightingale’s words. “With over £45 bn being invested in new NHS hospitals over the next 15 years, we have an unprecedented opportunity to ensure these buildings help prevent, not spread, infection. Getting this wrong would be a costly and potentially deadly mistake.” Endorsed by the New Hospitals
Dr Manjula Meda, HIS Chair and BEIPI member, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is not just a microbiological issue, it’s a design issue. Hospitals built without infection-safe principles can end up costing more to fix and manage. The right design decisions can prevent deaths and save the NHS millions.”
Macerator aims to target energy and water costs
Manufacturer Vernacare has launched its Vortex Air+ Human Waste Disposal Macerator. The manufacturer says the
macerator is ‘engineered to meet the growing demand for resource efficient hospital equipment’ and ‘delivers substantial reductions in energy and water usage, through its tailored cycle intelligence, offering hospitals a smarter solution’. Manufactured in Greater
Manchester, the product is designed for NHS Trusts and private hospital groups. By introducing advanced tailored cycle intelligence, the macerator achieves a 16% reduction in energy consumption and a 44% reduction in water usage compared to alternatives and legacy models, the manufacturer adds. “Building on our strong
history of innovation in human waste disposal, we’re pleased to introduce the Vortex Air +,” said Nathan Shields, Global Product manager at Vernacare. “With advanced technology and intelligent features, we’re helping hospitals reduce their environmental
footprint while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety.” The device has eco-adaptive technology which adjusts each cycle to use only the necessary amount of energy and water. This ensures efficient breakdown of medical pulp items such as bedpans, urinals, and washbowls whilst minimising waste and operational costs. The Vortex Air+ is now available
through the NHS Supply Chain and Vernacare’s Global sales network. Healthcare providers across the UK and international markets can access the product directly.
January 2026 Health Estate Journal 21
AdobeStock / Maryna
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 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
