Speeches

Sir Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sir Nicholas Soames on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the timeliness of NHS Property Services’ (a) agreement and (b) delivery of building works at (i) Sidney West in West Sussex, (ii) Horsham Hospital and (iii) Crawley Hospital.

George Freeman

NHS Property Services (NHSPS) invests in its buildings to ensure they are safe and statutorily compliant. Additionally, it builds or refurbishes healthcare estates to change the estate to meet changing local healthcare needs where National Health Service customers indicate the need and commit to fund the revenue consequences of our investment. This ensures scarce capital funds are prioritised where the need is greatest.

The following table summarises the capital projects underway, planned or proposed for Sidney West Primary Care Centre, Horsham Hospital and for Crawley Hospital. The Company’s primary customers for these projects are Crawley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Horsham and Mid-Sussex CCG who commission clinical services and lead the development of Local Estate Strategies for the areas they cover.

Location

Project

Value

Current Position

Sidney West Primary Care Centre

Diagnostics refurbishment

To be confirmed

This does not have an approved business case. Confirmation is being sought from the CCGs as to the specification of works they would wish us to undertake. Timescales for delivery cannot be confirmed at this point.

Horsham Hospital

Landlord works: Flooring, windows and roofing

£0.61 million

NHSPS is investing in a package of landlord works within Horsham Hospital including the gym refurbishment, new flooring in key areas and the refurbishment of windows. The works will start in June 2016 and are expected to be complete in October 2016.

Horsham Hospital

Muskoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSK)

£1.20 million

NHSPS is currently delivering the final phase of the MSK programme. The £2.4 million construction works at Horsham and Crawley are being managed by NHSPS as a single project and are due for completion on 20 July 2016.

Crawley Hospital

Muskoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSK)

£1.20 million

Please see above Horsham MSK position.

Crawley Hospital

Sub-acute ward refurbishment

£3.97 million

This project is for development of a 26 bed step-up/step-down facility housed within the Crawley Hospital red wing 6th floor. Works have been designed and priced. Discussions are expected to conclude in the near future between NHSPS and the CCG on agreed terms of commissioner commitment. It is anticipated that formal approval for the investment will be signed off in June 2016 with works to be completed in November 2016.

Crawley Hospital

Transforming Urgent Care refurbishment

£4.53 million

This project is for development of a combination of a clinical assessment unit, extend paediatrics, urgent treatment centre and an upgraded reception. Works have been designed and priced. Discussions are expected to conclude in the near future between NHSPS and the CCG on agreed terms of commissioner commitment. It is anticipated that formal approval for the investment will be signed off in June 2016 with works to be completed in November 2016.

Crawley Hospital

Landlord works associated with the Sub-acute and Transforming Urgent Care projects

£0.70 million

Subject to the final approval of the Sub-acute and Transforming Urgent Care customer projects NHSPS intends to invest in additional landlord works to ensure the supporting infrastructure matches the updated patient facilities.

Crawley Hospital

Landlord works: Fire compartmentalisation and safety upgrade

£2.50 million

The Crawley Hospital red wing is viewed strategically as the core building of the hospital complex. NHSPS is investing in essential landlord works to guarantee the safe and effective back office functions of the hospital infrastructure. Included within this scheme are a review and reconfiguration of fire safety zones, replacement of fire doors, removal of asbestos and improvements to the water supply system. These works will be complete in October 2016.

Crawley Hospital

Theatre Air Handling Unit lifecycle replacement

£0.36 million

NHSPS has addressed the end-of-life-status of physical assets, with planned investment that future proofs the Crawley Hospital facilities. For example, the planned renewal of the theatre air conditioning systems which will accommodate increased theatre activity and utilise energy efficient systems to improve upon the previous infrastructure. Installation is expected to be completed in November 2016.