SUPPLY CHAIN
with rapidly shifting regulations and has indirect benefits, too. Namely, if facility teams are to remain effective in situations where budgets are shrinking yet patient demand is soaring, streamlining everyday processes, such as equipment specification and facility maintenance, is a must. Engaging large suppliers capable of supplying an extensive portfolio suiting the varied and diverse needs of healthcare estates is key to this.
So though the supply chain can
present challenges, there are also opportunities decision makers and consultants may leverage. Specifically, for hospital stakeholders tasked with reducing total cost of expenditure over component, system, or building lifetimes, engaging supplier expertise to refine solution specification and maintenance strategies could be invaluable financially.
Consistency and CPDs Suppliers can also provide support outside the specification process. Organisations such as Legrand offer courses that are vital to the continuous professional development of architects, designers, product specifiers, facilities managers, electrical consulting engineers, electrical contractors, and any other employees involved in infrastructure decision-making processes. These CPD-certified seminars, carried
out by experienced technical experts with first-hand knowledge of the lighting and electrical industries, provide necessary training opportunities to better inform future works and maintenance. Our Training Academy, for example, offers specific CPDs on lighting control in the hospital environment, cable management systems, and pathways, and premature collapse and fire rated containment. These sessions can also address a major issue in the product specification process – the disconnect between the various parties involved. These issues often result from differing
objectives, for example consultants tasked with demonstrating the potential of high spec, interconnected smart facility lighting technologies versus maintenance teams needing standalone systems that can be easily fixed and maintained on-site. The ability to bring these varied roles together in an educational setting, whether at the hospital premises or in a dedicated classroom environment, may help bridge gaps in perception and result in more holistic, well-rounded specification decisions. Through this, solutions can be identified as providing a fully addressable and networkable solution suitable for medium- to large-sized installations required at hospitals. Specifically, these systems, underpinned by employee expertise, are adaptable and flexible to on-site stakeholder demands, with PC-
96
Working closely with suppliers that offer extensive product portfolios can make it easier to ensure building performance and occupant safety
fronted Digital Addressable Lighting Interface control able to be integrated later if needed. As such, the needs of both the consultant and maintenance teams can be met.
Continuing with consolidation Considering the perks of outsourcing, it is essential that estate decision makers identify partners able to supply multiple systems and components from a single source. Doing so not only saves time but will allow the discovery of more rationalisation opportunities within hospitals.
Alongside this, having a sole partner as
a one-stop-shop for all electrical infrastructure requirements may give facility personnel more time for critical maintenance tasks, instead of talking with multiple, disparate providers. Standardised across multiple hospitals and trusts, the time savings from this added efficiency can quickly scale up and alleviate pressure on under-strain decision makers and maintenance teams. Of course, this is easier said than done,
and will require suppliers of sufficient size and scope to be truly effective. Technical competence across such a broad array of specialisms including – but not limited to – UPS, cable management, and lighting control systems may potentially rule out most suppliers but could prove a net positive overall. This is because accessing multiple
experts and a vast range of solutions through a single route could alleviate issues caused by competing objectives during specification. For instance,
specialisms across large supplier businesses can be leveraged to bridge the gap between consultants’ design suggestions and the day-to-day realities for maintenance teams.
Many factors, one goal There are many factors to consider when managing the modern healthcare estate – arguably too many. Overstretched teams responsible for large facilities and needing to ensure regulatory compliance should therefore look for opportunities to outsource and engage relevant outside expertise to ensure the single, most important goal is achieved – a functional hospital.
Doing so not only allows more effective
system specification, reducing total expenditure and unplanned downtime, but also presents opportunities to further streamline existing processes. Combining this consolidation blueprint with other opportunities to harness supplier expertise will leave decision makers well- placed to better manage a challenging sector landscape. But if improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness is the aim, auditing estate operations and contacting established large suppliers should be an important first step.
IFHE
References 1
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/ nhs-delivery-and-workforce/funding/health- funding-data-analysis
2
https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ 2023/07/New-hospital-programme-report.pdf
3
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/Health_tech_memo_0601.pdf
IFHE DIGEST 2024
©iStock-Furkan Tellioglu
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