Meeting the growing demand for healthcare facade projects

Hospitals and healthcare sector construction stands out as one of the most promising sectors for new work as we continue into the second half of 2024. The Glenigan Construction Forecast 2024-25 predicts that the number of project starts (under £100 million) in the sector will rise by 11% in 2024 with a further 2% for 2025. 

As leading facade installers, we’re witnessing a surge in healthcare sector projects. It’s crucial to select a trustworthy partner for these projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget. Whether it’s a renovation or a new construction, facades can offer energy-saving benefits like thermal efficiency. This not only reduces heating and cooling costs but also enhances the building’s overall aesthetic, creating a welcoming and healing environment for patients.  

Here, we delve into the factors that are driving this sector’s growth, the challenges these types of projects present, and why choosing a reliable partner for your projects is essential. 

What’s driving this growth? 

The sector’s growth is partly fuelled by the Government’s commitment to the New Hospital Program, a comprehensive initiative announced in 2020. This program aims to construct 40 new hospitals by 2030, including refurbishments and additional sites and wings. The Government’s commitment to this program, particularly in the lead-up to a general election, underscores the sector’s potential for substantial expansion and the increasing demand for healthcare facade projects. 

The care home sector in the UK has seen significant growth, largely due to demographic shifts and the rising demand for high-quality care services. As per the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK’s population aged 65 and over is expected to grow substantially in the coming years, leading to a significant need for residential care facilities. 

Challenges and considerations 

Hospitals are not just busy environments but also highly regulated and sensitive spaces. Construction activities, especially in live hospital environments, can disrupt hospital operations, affecting both staff and patients. The unique requirements of healthcare facilities, such as infection control and patient privacy, add another layer of complexity to these projects. 

Careful consideration and planning are required, from noise and vibrations to ensuring clear and safe access for construction vehicles, workers, and emergencies. Creating detailed phasing plans is just one example of how to minimise disruption. Therefore, working with a contractor who understands these needs and has experience finding solutions for these types of challenges is vital to the project’s success. 

Choosing a trusted partner for healthcare projects 

To meet the increased demand for healthcare facilities, you must choose a specialist subcontractor you can trust. But what should your considerations be? 

Looking for a client with a good reputation is vital. Testimonials are often given only by happy customers and are, therefore, a key indicator of their ability to deliver. Repeat business with regular partners is also a sign that they receive the desired project outcomes. 

Experience in the desired sector is also worth looking out for. Each construction sector has different demands and challenges, so it’s best to see how they’ve delivered in those environments. The healthcare sector poses many challenges, especially if the site is actively in use. 

We’re up to the task 

Our team of experienced professionals is ready to handle the increased demand, and our robust supply chain ensures timely materials delivery. We also have a proven track record of meeting project deadlines and budgets and delivering projects in this type of environment right the first time.

In one of our most recent projects at Kingsley Healthcare, a new care home in Norwich, our team worked with our long-term partner, R G Carter, to ensure the successful installation of a rainscreen cladding solution. We supported the design aspects as well as the installation, and it was completed on time with no hiccups or delays.  

Showcasing our ability to deliver on care home projects, we were awarded another project with R G Carter. We are currently installing an insulated brick slip and insulated render systems for the refurbishment of an existing hospital building, creating a new care home at Broomfield Care Home in Chelmsford, further highlighting our trustworthiness. 

One of our ongoing projects involves working with another existing partner, Barnes Construction, at Bunker Building, Southend Hospital. Our scope involves installing external cladding to a new state-of-the-art hospital building built in a live hospital environment. During this project, we’ve worked closely with Barnes Construction and the hospital to ensure minimal disruption to the staff and the patients. 

These are just a few examples of projects we’ve trusted by contractors to collaborate and deliver expert facade solutions in the healthcare sector. 

Commenting on the demanding growth of the sector, Tony Hill, Managing Director at Eden Facades, said: 

“We’re seeing huge growth in the healthcare sector. As a team, we continue to showcase our expertise in working in challenging environments like healthcare, adapting to the unique needs of busy, live environments and working closely with contractors and the healthcare facilities to find solutions to keep disruption to a minimum.”  

“Our partners continue to trust us, rewarding us with new contracts. We look forward to continuing to support the growth of this sector.” 

It’s vital that you choose a specialist subcontractor you can trust for your healthcare projects. If you would like to know more about how we can support you with our services for healthcare projects, feel free to get in touch with our team.