The innovative estates booking service NHS Open Space, which was launched by NHS Property Services (NHSPS), has recently expanded its portfolio to over 700 rooms in 100 sites across England.
Offering clinical and non-clinical spaces for hire on a pay-as-you-go hourly or daily service, the service aims to help make better use of NHS space.
Their portfolio includes both clinical and non-clinical spaces, ranging from examination rooms to group activity spaces and offices. The aim is for health and wellbeing providers, as well as small business owners and community groups, to book and use these spaces for the length of time they need, ensuring continued delivery of patient services and care at an affordable price.
It is hoped that it will ease pressure on finances and enabling service users to be more flexible during unpredictable times with the pandemic.
More than 1,000 users currently utilise NHS Open Space, with more than 125,000 bookings having been made on the service since it’s creation, accounting to more than 700,000 hours of patient service delivery.
Income made from NHS Open Space will then be invested back into the health service to further benefit patients and the NHS.
Christopher King, Principal Strategic Asset Manager at NHSPS, said: “We recognise that the last year has been challenging for many healthcare providers, small businesses and community groups.
“We hope that NHS Open Space will help to provide a flexible and affordable option for those who are looking to continue or get back to work in the coming months.
“Safety continues to be our number one priority; our customers and patients can feel safe in the knowledge that all available sites are cleaned and maintained to the highest of safety standards.”
Ruth Todd, Clinical Assistant at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has used NHS Open Space to keep her Diabetes service running during the pandemic.
She added: “With every booking I can be confident that the room will be set up, clean and ready to go – even more important this year as infection control is our top priority.
“This has helped me and my patients return to NHS sites when remote consultations aren’t possible, making sure my patients get the support they need during these uncertain times.”
