08.07.20
NHS Open Space preparing to return to normal service
As part of efforts to return to normal service post-lockdown, efforts are being made to make many NHS Open Space rooms available to book once again – with NHS Property Services (NHSPS) asking for feedback and plans from potential users to better prepare for the re-opening.
NHS Open Space is a service delivered by NHSPS to facilitate flexible and affordable booking of rooms in NHS properties across the country.
Many of the NHS Open Space rooms had been temporarily repurposed over the past few months to support the NHS’ response to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, as the country comes towards the end of the initial peak, many of these rooms are expected to return to normal use over the next month and become available once more to book through the Open Space platform.
Chris King, Principal Strategic Asset Manager at NHS Property Services, said: “As we begin to return to normal service, we are following strict measures to ensure a safe and consistent reoccupation of our buildings.
“We are closely following government guidelines, have aligned to wider NHS Property Services protocol, and are working closely with on-site Facilities Management teams to complete risk assessments and carry out practical measures to certify rooms ready for occupation.”
The complete NHSPS reoccupation checklist can be viewed here.
As part of efforts to prepare for re-opening the NHS Open Space service, NHSPS has asked those planning to use the system to contact them with their plans for return to NHS Open Space rooms, such as what services you plan to run, and whether appointments will be in person or virtual to support social distancing on sites.
To help gather this feedback, NHSPS have set up a short survey.