UK
Founded in 1948, The NHS celebrates its 75th Anniversary on 5th July 2023. Celebrating their past, present and future contributions, we reflect on everything the national health service provides to the United Kingdom (UK) and highlight a selection of SWG’s NHS clients and their fantastic work in the world of FM.
The NHS: A Beacon of Healing, Rising from the Shadows of World War II
Ever since its creation in 1948, the NHS has stood as a testament to solidarity and compassion. Founded in the aftermath of a war, unmatched in its destruction and loss, the national health service represented a new era of free healthcare and national cohesion.
It was a bold vision born out of the desire to ensure that no individual, regardless of their background or financial means, would be denied the right to receive quality medical care.
The NHS contributed enormously, especially with the Polio immunisation programme in 1956, whooping cough in 1957 and the first successful treatment for rhesus disease of a new-born being performed in 1967.
Decades of Dedication and Lifesaving Contributions
Ever since, the NHS has continued to be a lifeline for millions of people, helping to save lives, heal injuries and remedy illnesses. Despite its financial strain and an increasingly ageing population, healthcare professionals across the UK have stayed resilient in their care to communities.
It is also impossible to forget their contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic. Battling a virus with unknown repercussions and suffering overcrowded hospitals, the NHS and its staff showed steadfast determination to help the country. The dedication and sacrifice of these heroes highlighted the unwavering commitment of the NHS to protect and care for its patients, even in the face of immense adversity.
NHS Foundation Trusts: Some of Our Clients
One of our clients, Southern Health NHS Foundation, has a team of 6,500 staff and operates across over 300 sites to provide specialist mental health and learning disability services across Hampshire. The Trust has set the ambitious aim of achieving net zero by 2050 by taking part in the ‘For a Greener NHS’ initiative. You can read more in our case study, ‘Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.’
NHS Foundation Trust
We have many other NHS clients that provide invaluable care to their communities. Solent NHS Trust, across Portsmouth and Southampton, provides dedicated mental health and community services to over a million people. Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust employs around 4,000 staff and provides its residents with acute healthcare services. The Isle of Wight NHS Trust offers a wide range of services to the Island, ensuring the isolated offshore population is provided with any acute, community, mental health and ambulance services, to name just a few.
NHS: The Future
Regarding the future of the NHS, whatever it may hold, it will undoubtedly follow the same care and sacrifice that has made the organisation what it is today. As NHS Trusts across the UK continue to consolidate, and following the release of the Lord Carter Report and Estates Return Information Collection (ERIC) reporting, estates departments are under increasing pressure to rationalise processes, centralise information, improve efficiency and reduce operational spending.
Healthcare is becoming increasingly streamlined and advancing alongside technology to alleviate some of the burdens currently on staff. This is noticeable when considering Southern Health, who following a review of their approach to estates management and agile working, have looked to roll out electronic booking for their customers. To learn more about this trend and the future of healthcare, download our White Paper. ‘Optimisation of Healthcare Estates Through Technology’.
