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NHS to launch ‘online hospital’ service
NHS England has announced plans to establish an online hospital, called NHS Online, which will provide specialist care through digital channels rather than a physical site. The service is expected to begin seeing patients from 2027.
NHS England said patients will be able to access specialist consultations through the NHS App and book scans, tests, or procedures at Community Diagnostic Centres. Referrals to the online hospital can be made via GPs, and patients will have the option to schedule appointments at convenient times.
Initially, NHS Online will focus on planned treatment areas with the longest waiting times, expanding to additional areas over time. The programme will incorporate existing digital innovations such as AI and remote monitoring and is being developed with patient involvement. NHS Online aims to connect patients with specialists across England, with the intention of supporting faster access to care while
Imaging upgrade for Oxford Trust
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has completed a significant upgrade to diagnostic imaging services at its John Radcliffe Hospital. The Trust said this latest
maintaining clinical safety. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will work with clinicians and unions on delivery. The service will build on existing
virtual pathways in some trusts, such as University Hospital Southampton, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which have introduced digital triage and remote follow-ups to manage patient demand. Sir Jim Mackey, NHS chief executive, said: “This is a huge step forward for the NHS and will deliver millions more appointments by the
end of the decade, offering a real alternative for patients and more control over their own care. “Patients who choose to receive
their treatment through the online hospital will benefit from us industrialising the latest technology and innovations, while the increased capacity will help to cut demand and slash waiting times. “The NHS can, must and will move
forward to match other sectors in offering digital services that make services as personalised, convenient, and flexible as possible for both staff and patients.”
Urgent treatment centre opens in Sussex
Worthing Hospital has officially opened its new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction, for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex). The single-storey, steel-framed
facility, procured through the SCAPE construction framework, will treat up to 40,000 patients a year.
It brings the UTC alongside the
Emergency Department, improving patient flow and supporting the hospital’s growing demand for urgent care. According to Morgan Sindall,
Worthing’s Emergency Department is the busiest in West Sussex, with around 100,000 visits annually and demand rising by 5% each year. The new centre includes a waiting
area, eight consultation rooms, a dedicated paediatric waiting space, and clinical support facilities. To build the unit, Morgan Sindall
relocated the hospital’s existing A&E entrance and carried out complex works in a live environment. Measures included scheduling noisy activity around peak times and rerouting blue light access. Additional elements of the
construction process that required careful attention included reducing noise and vibration to the nearby A&E,
maternity, pre- natal ward, and X-ray areas. At the
opening ceremony, Trust staff cut the ribbon before touring the new
24 Health Estate Journal November 2025
facilities with the project team. Guy Hannell, Area director for
Morgan Sindall Construction in the Southern Home Counties, said: “It’s a fantastic accomplishment to celebrate the opening of Worthing Hospital’s new Urgent Treatment Centre. This project is so important to deliver the facilities and treatment that the local community needs, and it’s been a pleasure to work closely with Worthing Hospital to coordinate the construction process in a live hospital environment.” Roy Evans, director of Capital
Development and Property at UHSussex, added: “We’ve been very pleased with Morgan Sindall Construction’s performance on this scheme with minimal disruption to the adjacent Emergency Department and other departments within the hospital.” The UTC scheme is the latest in a series of healthcare projects Morgan Sindall has delivered with UHSussex, including new facilities at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, and Southlands Hospital.
upgrade is part of its programme to modernise radiology equipment, enhance patient care, and improve clinical outcomes. Delivered through a Managed Equipment Service (MES) with partner Ergéa UK, the project included the installation of two advanced imaging systems – a GE Artist Evo MRI scanner and a GE SPECT/CT gamma camera – alongside the full refurbishment of the Nuclear Medicine Department. These improvements are already transforming services, creating a modern, efficient, and patient-focused environment. The new MRI scanner now
supports up to 600 patients per month, enabling faster scans, greater diagnostic accuracy, and improved patient comfort – particularly for neurological patients where precision is critical.
The new gamma camera,
together with the upgraded nuclear medicine department, has expanded the Trust’s diagnostic capacity and provides high- quality imaging for oncology and paediatric patients in a brighter, more welcoming environment. Felicity Taylor-Drewe, COO at OUH, said: “These new imaging facilities are a fantastic step forward for our patients and staff. They improve both the quality and speed of diagnosis, while creating a more comfortable and efficient experience for everyone using our services. This programme reflects our commitment to modern, high-quality care across our hospitals, and we are pleased to have worked with Ergéa UK to deliver it.”
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