Transforming UK Primary Care Amid Rising Construction Costs
The Surge of New Medical Centres Across the UK
Over the past twelve months, the landscape of UK primary care has seen significant expansion, with the opening of several new medical centres across the country. As a primary care surveyor with insight into the evolving healthcare infrastructure, it’s clear that the new surgeries in Winchester, Shirley, Worthing, and Bognor are not only responding to increased demand for services but also aligning with the government’s drive to improve access to GP care. These state-of-the-art medical centres are designed to address both patient needs and the operational challenges faced by GPs, offering modern amenities and capacity to accommodate growing populations. This expansion reflects a positive shift towards more accessible, patient-centred healthcare, particularly in areas where demand has outstripped existing provision.
Challenges and Opportunities in Developing New Medical Centres
The development of new medical centres amidst rising construction costs, is becoming increasingly vital due to the growing demand for healthcare services in the UK. This surge in demand is largely driven by population growth, particularly within the Asian community, and the evolving needs of patients. As the healthcare system shifts towards more community-based care, with services transitioning from secondary (hospital) care to primary care settings, it’s essential to have the right primary care infrastructure in place. However, significant challenges stand in the way of developing new medical centres, primarily due to the sharp increase in rising construction costs and rising interest rates. These factors have led to a situation where the rent required for new medical centres to remain financially viable has risen dramatically, often surpassing £300 per square metre.
This substantial rise in rising construction costs has made it increasingly difficult to bring new healthcare facilities to life, as the district valuer—who assesses the financial viability of healthcare development projects—has not adjusted to these heightened rental levels. Consequently, many potential projects are facing financial barriers. There is growing anticipation that a change in government or policy emphasis could help resolve these issues. While there have been encouraging discussions around transforming UK primary care, particularly in terms of shifting services from hospitals to the community, concrete actions and funding are still awaited.
The government has recognised the underinvestment in primary care estates, with reports highlighting the urgent need for substantial government funding for healthcare to drive transformational change. As we approach 2025, there is hope that a shift in government priorities could pave the way for the necessary investments and policy reforms needed to develop modern medical centres. These new medical centres would be better equipped to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services and support the transition to community-based care. For UK primary care to thrive, robust financial backing and strategic planning will be essential in overcoming the current barriers to new medical centre development as well as adjustments to the infrastructure to help stop the rising construction costs.
The Involvement of Primary Care Surveyors in New Medical Centre Developments
Primary Care Surveyors have played a pivotal role in the development of new medical centres across the UK, contributing their expertise to several long-term projects in Winchester, Shirley, Worthing, and Bognor Regis. Their involvement has been instrumental in ensuring these projects meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.
In Winchester, Primary Care Surveyors were appointed as Development & Monitoring Surveyor in 2019. The project involved the transformation of a 1960s office building into a modern, three-storey surgery complete with a car park. This ambitious conversion was carried out in collaboration with Assura, one of the UK’s leading healthcare development corporations. The result is a state-of-the-art facility that significantly enhances healthcare access for the local population.
Similarly, in Bognor Regis, Primary Care Surveyors have been involved since 2006, working alongside renowned firms such as Simpson Hilda Associates Architects and Chawton Hill Quantity Surveyors. This project, like the one in Winchester, has now reached completion, providing the community with a much-needed modern medical centre.
These projects exemplify the critical role that Primary Care Surveyors play in the development of healthcare infrastructure. As the UK continues to invest in its primary care infrastructure, the involvement of skilled healthcare surveyors will remain essential in driving forward the transformation of primary care services.
