ESTATES STRATEGY
organisation’s ability to innovate and introduce new ways of working. For teams to fully integrate with others and improve productivity, most staff should be able to work as flexibly and efficiently from any Wi-Fi-enabled office space, home, or another site, to the same standard as in the office.
Slow uptake of mobile technology Slow uptake of mobile technology has had a major influence on the ability to transform support services. To truly realise flexible working, investment is needed in Wi-Fi – to support mobile working, a reliable network with ubiquitous connectivity, process automation software, collaboration solutions, and software that enables productive working.
The wide-reaching implications of COVID-19 are accelerating the need for office spaces to be re-examined, not only to make them safe for staff, but also in the light of enhanced flexible working opportunities. Home working has not only become universal, but its success has shown just how effective remote working can be, which in turn has forced increased investment in ICT infrastructure. The opportunity for the NHS to take advantage of the ‘new normal’ has never been greater – both to reduce costs associated with office space, and improve staff wellbeing and productivity.
Contemporary and modern working environments Vibrant and modern working environments improve staff happiness and productivity, and thus new workspace should be of a contemporary design with natural light and features, along with a clean and uncluttered layout. Studies show that those who work in spaces with natural features report 15% higher levels of overall wellbeing, and are 6% more productive. It is also important that the layout of an office facilitates the integration of teams who work together, regardless of which function they belong to. Integrating delivery teams will help to ensure that service requests are coordinated between teams efficiently – by simplifying knowledge-sharing.
Flexible working to enhance wellbeing
One way to avoid peak travel times, minimise non-essential travel, and support individual lifestyles, is to encourage flexible working. In doing so, organisations will see significant benefits, including the enhancement of staff wellbeing. Studies show that staff are 5% more productive, while 67% of those who have tried flexible working feel it has enhanced their job satisfaction. Staff will increasingly have the option of working away from the office, and at different times, through hot-
94 Health Estate Journal October 2020
ETL says that ‘often office geography and physical constraints reduce an organisation’s ability to innovate and introduce new ways of working’.
desking, and across various Trust and NHS sites, with accessibility outside of traditional working times. Support services often do not have the opportunity to promote or accelerate these aspects due to constraints of old, poorly designed office spaces.
Transforming and transition of an NHS Trust in practice
ETL, a specialist healthcare consultancy, is currently helping a major NHS Trust with its office relocation to a modern working space, with improved transport connections, working environments, and facilities. Transformation on this scale is a major undertaking for any organisation, and requires strong leadership from the top to drive success, supported, of course, by open and clear dialogue with staff. The Trust was keen to improve the integration of its teams and the way that they worked, so there was the vision to move to flexible working and arranging staff by the services they deliver. However, with the onset of COVID-19 that accelerated everything. The space is
designed to be adaptable, using technology to support social distancing recommendations, as well as providing a high-class environment for the future. By providing less desk space, it gave the opportunity to create a variety of different work environments, including more collaboration areas. Moreover, a bookable desk and room system has been included, so that workspaces can be planned and rotated to help social distancing, and comply with COVID-19 guidelines, with the opportunity to be repurposed for truly flexible workspaces for an adaptable workforce.
The improvements made for the Trust in question will substantially reduce long- term running costs, enhance staff wellbeing, and foster productivity. Through changes to staff modes of travel, disposing of assets with high energy demand, and use of sustainable design – including the latest LED lighting – the Trust will benefit from reduced carbon consumption and deliver high quality services in accommodation that meets the needs of its staff for the long term. hej
It is important that the layout of an office facilitates the integration of teams who work together, regardless of to which function they belong.
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 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108
