The latest construction research on the UK healthcare sector has revealed that BIM and sustainability are important factors, as described by Chris Ashworth of BIM4M2 and MD of Competitive Advantage Consultancy
The latest construction market research from Competitive Advantage on the UK healthcare sector shows both BIM and sustainability are important factors. The research examines the drivers and influencers on construction for both the NHS and the private sector, including residential care.
The healthcare sector is very important for UK construction. The NHS is the largest capital construction client in the country, has the largest single property portfolio in Europe and accounts for 3% of all of the UK’s carbon emissions. Furthermore, there is a £4.3 billion backlog of maintenance and a government commitment to invest £5.7 billion.
BIM is being used not just because of the government mandate.
BIM is already delivering cost savings. The Department of Health has identified BIM as contributing a 14% cost saving since 2009. But there is still potential to achieve greater savings in line with the 20% achieved by the education and justice departments in the same time period.
Even before the April 2016 government mandate for BIM, the requirement was in place for all Procure 21+ contractors to use BIM. In addition, initiatives that BIM will support are the development of a range of standard room designs and standardised product selections, based around the most commonly used healthcare room types.
Although smaller architects and contractors have still to adopt BIM, research also conducted by Competitive Advantage Adoption of BIM by Architects in 2015, found that all of the leading architect’s practices were using BIM, with many using it on more than half of all their projects. Clearly, BIM is being increasingly used and not just because of the government mandate.
It is hoped that sustainability will become embedded in procurement behaviour.
Improving efficiency of building stock is key. All NHS organisations are required to have a Sustainable Development Plan (SDMP) in place to support the NHS’s Carbon Reduction Strategy with a Sustainable Development Unit formed to support the plan.
Targets for 2020 include a 34% reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions. To enable sustainable decision-making processes, its principals can be factored into purchasing, investment, operational and strategic decisions. Over time, it is hoped that sustainability will become embedded in procurement behaviour.
Health & Wellbeing is already taken into account by more than half of architects
Another aspect of sustainability, which is receiving increasing recognition, is health and wellbeing. For the health service, this has relevance on two fronts. Of direct relevance is the designing of buildings to create positive working environments for staff and to aid patient recovery. Views of garden spaces, low noise levels, making good use of colour and use of natural light and its daily rhythm are all contributing factors.
Drawing on another Competitive Advantage report, Health & Wellbeing in Specification we found that BREEAM is the principal measure used to incorporate health and wellbeing in design. In the healthcare sector designing to meet Health & Wellbeing is already taken into account by more than half of architects, with this trend expected to increase.
But as a medium to long term strategy, the health service also wishes to encourage a built environment that enhances the health and wellbeing of the community, to contribute to better public health and reduce the demand on the NHS. Already NHS England is working with ten housing developments, representing more than 53,000 homes. Perhaps in the future, the NHS will become a major influencer in housing design?
Chris Ashworth is a specialist in specification strategy and is chair of one of the BIM4M2Â working groups. He is Managing Director of Competitive Advantage Consultancy which specialises in market research, consultancy and training for the construction industry and has authored the recent Construction Market Report: UK Healthcare Sector. This report provides an impartial overview of opportunities for the construction industry. For those product manufacturers wishing to supply the construction healthcare sector this is an invaluable resource for informing your marketing strategy.
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Chris Ashworth
Managing Director of Competitive Advantage Consultancy Ltd and Chair of one of the BIM4M2 working groups
Tel: 01252 378053
talk@cadvantage.co.uk
www.cadvantage.co.uk
Twitter: @CompetitiveA
Twitter: @CompA_Ashworth
