Lessons learned from delivering important buildings for the NHS - Jonathan Webb

As we reflect on what we've achieved in that time, cultivating design teams that enable us to deliver buildings that now serve nearly one million patients, it's worth reflecting on where it all began.

Assura's first development was a new surgery in Bonnyrigg, a town in Midlothian, Scotland. One of the largest centres of its type at the time, Bonnyrigg brought together three practices under one roof in a purpose-built convenient space and today provides services for more than 22,000 patients. We estimate more than two million consultations have been held in that building since it opened. There are similarities to be found between development one and development one hundred. In Bushbury, for example, we have consolidated two existing, but outdated, surgeries operated by the same GP practice into a fabulous new facility.

Our relationship with space and flexibility has remained a constant too, even in 2003, Bonnyrigg was designed to flex with the needs of the local area and it remains in good use today for that reason.

But, if you were to visit Bonnyrigg and our brand new Prestbury Medical Centre – putting aside the fact they’re 270 miles apart, you would notice there are key differences, brought about with the benefit of 20 years of insight, consistent innovation and feedback from our customers and clinicians.

Some of the biggest lessons we've learned concern sustainability, both during construction and whilst buildings are in use. Crucial for the future of the planet and a big part of the national health equation, we lead for a sustainable future. We’ve captured these learnings in our Net Zero Carbon Design Guide. Its guidance has been adopted across all our live projects and we are working to decarbonise our operations entirely by 2040.

Furthermore, our ‘Design for Everyone’ approach demonstrates our insight and understanding of those who use our buildings and how the space can make patients feel welcome – especially those that are neurodivergent, experiencing low-moods or high-anxiety or living with conditions such as dementia or autism.

Enabling the right partners is of paramount importance to the success of any project. We work with specialist design consultants who fully understand the NHS and its requirements.

The NHS is our partner for the long-term, its practitioners call our buildings home and as their demands change, we move to accommodate them.

Any effective partnership must be a two-way street, so we also make sure to contribute our own understanding of communities, modern practice and design in every project we deliver. We want to make great places for the invaluable NHS staff to work and to prosper.

Jonathan Webb is development director at Assura.