Healthcare Construction: Delivering the Future of Patient Care

Willmott Dixon has delivered over 100 healthcare construction projects across England and Wales in the past decade, placing us in a strong position to support the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and its shift from Hospital centric care towards community-based services and prevention led healthcare.

Types of healthcare construction projects

We have successfully delivered healthcare construction projects across the full healthcare system - acute, mental health, community and neighbourhood settings.

This includes master plans, estate strategies, and Development Control Plans to infrastructure and decarbonisation works, new and refurbished wards, and specialist units such as theatres, oncology, maternity, diagnostics, endoscopy and emergency departments. Whatever the requirement, we design and deliver environments that enhance patient experience, improve flow and support modern models of care.

Building the Neighbourhood Health Service

As the NHS shifts from "hospital to community," we're pioneering the infrastructure that makes this transformation possible. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of modern healthcare facilities, including facilities that are the forerunner to neighbourhood health centres.

Mental Healthcare: Meeting Growing Demand

With £120 million committed to mental health emergency departments, we're supporting the NHS shift to 24/7 neighbourhood mental health care.

Our expertise includes:

• Mental health emergency departments (MHEDs) co-located with A&E units
• Community crisis response facilities
• Secure care and rehabilitation centres
• Integrated mental health and physical health environments

From older adult care to specialist secure environments, we work across the full mental health spectrum for NHS and private providers.

Digital-First Healthcare Infrastructure

Supporting the NHS shift from "analogue to digital," we integrate cutting-edge technology into every healthcare facility we build.

Our digital-ready healthcare facilities include:

• Single patient record system infrastructure
• AI-enabled diagnostic and monitoring capabilities
• Ambient technology integration for reduced administrative burden
• Remote consultation and virtual care capabilities
• Cybersecurity and data protection built-in by design

Expert Delivery in Live Healthcare Environments

The majority of our healthcare projects involve works in a live healthcare environment and while facilities remain operational. We've perfected the art of construction in live environments, ensuring zero disruption to patient care and clinical operations.

Our approach includes:

• Stringent infection control and clinical governance protocols
• Phased construction programmes maintaining service continuity
• Regular stakeholder liaison with healthcare professionals and patients
• Proactive 'zero accidents' safety approach
• Noise, dust and vibration management in sensitive clinical areas

Partnership Models for NHS Transformation

As the NHS adopts new funding models including Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), we're ready to act as development partner, bringing innovative financing solutions to healthcare infrastructure. Speak to our Development Solutions team here.

Seamless Project Delivery & Knowledge Transfer

We establish 'soft landings' protocols from project start, ensuring smooth transition from construction to operation.

Our handover process includes:

• Comprehensive training programmes for new facilities and equipment
• Early engagement with end users during construction
• Regular stakeholder site tours and progress updates
• Post-completion support and aftercare services
• Knowledge transfer to support operational excellence

Framework Excellence & Rapid Deployment

We hold positions on major frameworks across England and Wales, enabling fast, compliant contracting routes perfectly suited to NHS transformation timelines.

Key frameworks include:

• NHSE Accredited Frameworks: ProCure23, Crown Commercial Services & Pagabo - delivering NHS capital projects at pace
• SCAPE, SCF and Procurement Hub partnerships
• Specialist healthcare frameworks for urgent programme delivery
• Regional framework positions supporting local NHS priorities

Cura: The Future of Neighbourhood Health

Meeting Government construction targets of 33% lower costs and 50% faster delivery, Cura is our pre-designed integrated health and care hub, perfectly aligned with the NHS neighbourhood health service vision.

Cura delivers:

• Clinical and service flexibility for multi-disciplinary teams
• Customisation to meet local neighbourhood health and care needs
• Future-proof design adapting to changing care models
• Rapid deployment supporting NHS transformation timelines
• Cost-effective delivery through design for manufacture and assembly

Find out more about Cura here.

Partner with Willmott Dixon to build the future of healthcare - from community-focused neighbourhood centres to AI-enabled hospitals, we're supporting the NHS transformation that puts patients at the heart of everything we build.