A new annual report has shown that NHS Property Services (NHSPS) delivered £45.9m worth of cost efficiencies to the health services during 2022/23.
That means NHSPS, which owns and manages around 10% of the health service’s estate, has now achieved savings of more than £295m since 2017.
The report also indicated that the total investment in estates from NHSPS has increased to £150m.
NHSPS says this figure “reflects and includes the continued successful disposal of surplus NHS Property Services Limited sites”.
These are buildings which are no longer needed to deliver commissioned or clinical services and had generated £50m of recycled capital investment for NHSPS.
November 2023 saw the publication of the first NHSPS climate related financial disclosure report, which is another achievement outlined in the report.
The document identified key environmental risks for NHSPS and set out the measures being taken to build resilience.
Akin to this is how, since the launch of its green plan in 2021/22, NHSPS has reduced its carbon footprint by 18% and thus avoided substantial energy price rises for its customers.
“As we mark NHSPS’ tenth year of operating, this year’s annual report outlines the significant progress we have made,” said Martin Steele, the chief executive at NHSPS.
The 94 transformational building projects delivered as part of the healthy places programme were also noted in the report.
This includes the £11m Devizes Health Centre for Bath and Northeast Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICS – one of the first net zero NHS buildings ever.
The programme will expand to over 500 national projects next year, which NHSPS estimates will help around 1.3 million patients across the country.
Steele added: “These achievements are a testament to the collective work of our colleagues, customers and stakeholders in leveraging resources and maximising impact, and I am grateful to them for their invaluable feedback and collaboration which have helped shape our organisation's direction and success.”
Finally, the NHSPS social prescribing scheme converted 25 more vacant or underused spaces to enhance community wellbeing, tackle health inequalities, and alleviate pressure on primary care.
Chief financial officer at NHSPS, Mark Smith, commented: “I am delighted with the results we have delivered this year, which represent continued progress and consistent, ongoing achievements by teams across the business. We are committed to continue driving innovation and efficiency across our operations and to deliver even greater value to the NHS.
“As we embark on another transformative year, I’m confident that NHSPS will continue to seize the opportunities to support the NHS’s evolving needs, improve NHS colleague and patient environments and deliver sustainable, quality services.”
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