A Blueprint For The Future Of Healthcare Estates Construction.

Our Blueprint, 50 years in the making.

For more than 50 years, we have helped healthcare clients navigate complex estate challenges. 

Having lived and breathed healthcare for five decades, we’ve taken a long-term view of how we can support NHS Trusts and healthcare estates for the future.

That’s why we’ve developed our Blueprint. A guide built around the challenges Trusts face today and the priorities that will shape future healthcare investment. 

The Future Hospital May Not Be A Hospital.

Building For What Comes Next.

From Analogue to AI.

Optimise What We Have.

Standardise What Works.

What Really Makes Projects Succeed?

Why Net Zero Is More Than A Win For The Planet.

Ready for the next 50 years

We understand the future of healthcare estates will demand more than traditional delivery. Trusts must balance ageing infrastructure, sustainability goals and growing demand while planning for the long term. 

We’re ready to help. 

Through our focus on sustainability, digital technologies and the practical application of AI, we help Trusts make better-informed decisions, reduce risk and create resilient, adaptable estates. 

Our strength starts with our people. Bringing together specialists across project management, cost management, building surveying, sustainability, infrastructure and construction delivery, we provide the expertise needed to navigate increasingly complex healthcare challenges. 

Together, we’re helping create healthcare environments ready for the future.

Download a copy of Our Blueprint For The Future Of Healthcare Estates Construction.

How can the Blueprint help you?

Enabling the Shift from Hospital to Community Care

Our Blueprint addresses the challenge many healthcare estates are facing, moving care closer to people’s homes.

Where we have implemented this:

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Elective Surgery Hub
The project was specifically identified as an Elective Surgery Hub, creating additional treatment capacity outside traditional acute hospital pathways and supporting more efficient patient flow. The Multi-Disciplinary Elective Hub includes 4 operating theatres, 44 inpatient beds and facilities for urology, ENT and orthopaedic services.

Tiverton Endoscopy Facility
The scheme demonstrated how targeted investment in community estates can increase capacity, improve patient access and support elective recovery programmes without relying solely on large acute hospitals. The project improved patient flow and provided better support spaces for staff and patients.

Plymouth CDC
The new centre will play a vital role in improving access to diagnostic tests for people living in and around Plymouth, helping patients receive faster diagnoses and supporting earlier treatment when needed. By bringing services closer to communities, the centre will make it easier and more convenient for people to access the care they need.

 

Standardising What Works, While Maintaining Flexibility

Our Blueprint addresses the challenges estate teams are facing to standardise repeatable, efficient and proven solutions while ensuring estates remain flexible enough to evolve as services, technologies and patient needs change.

Where we have implemented this:

Bournemouth Mortuary Redesign
Working with an NHS Trust in Bournemouth, we helped challenge assumptions about future estate requirements during the redesign of a mortuary facility. By building flexibility into the design from the outset, we helped the Trust reduce the risk of future alterations, disruption and additional capital expenditure, ensuring the investment delivered long-term value as well as immediate operational benefits.

Delivering the Digital and AI-Enabled Hospital

Our Blueprint addresses the challenges estates and infrastructure face to support digitally enabled models of care, ensuring facilities can support evolving healthcare delivery approaches.

Where we have implemented this:


Area
We have implemented Area across our business, an AI-powered construction intelligence platform that connects planning, procurement, cost management and project delivery within a single ecosystem. By capturing knowledge from every project, clients benefit from smarter decisions, reduce risk and continuously improve future project outcomes.

Optimising Estates and Building Infrastructure Resilience

Our Blueprint addresses the need for a balanced approach, where new development remains important, but so does making better use of existing assets.

Where we have implemented this:

University Hospital Plymouth Emergency Care Building (ECB)
The project is being delivered within a complex acute hospital setting and involves major interfaces with existing infrastructure and operational hospital services.

Energy Centre Infrastructure Upgrade
The project focused on replacing critical infrastructure while ensuring power was maintained and clinical activity continued across the site.

Making Net Zero an Estate Performance Issue

Our Blueprint addresses the challenge of delivering net zero targets while maintaining operational resilience, improving patient environments and managing limited capital budgets.

Where we have implemented this:

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust Decarbonisation Programme
We supported the Trust throughout its LED Decarbonisation Programme, helping deliver improvements that reduced energy demand while supporting wider estate objectives.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – Ward Refurbishment
By prioritising targeted refurbishment of existing ward environments, we are helping the Trust improve the performance, resilience and long-term value of its estate while supporting a lower-impact approach to healthcare investment.

“"I want to share my heartfelt thanks to you and the Ward Williams team for the truly exceptional support you’ve provided to me and the wider Estates and Facilities team here at MWL. Working with you has been an absolute breath of fresh air. You and the team are not only highly skilled and dependable, but you also genuinely care about understanding the unique challenges of our NHS environment. No matter how complex the task, you always step up with a positive, can-do attitude and a real commitment to getting things right. You have become a trusted, seamless extension of our team, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ward Williams to anyone looking for outstanding partner support."”

Phil Greenough IEng MIET MIHEEM Head of Capital Projects

Head of Capital Projects Estates & Facilites Capital Projects across Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

“"It has been a pleasure working with Ward Williams on this scheme. The professional advice and service received on a complex programme has been first class. During the pre-construction phase, there were protracted negotiations with both the main contractor and our funders, and the Ward Williams team’s attention to detail, expert industry knowledge and support with the Financial Case of the HMT Green Book Full Business Case was hugely reassuring."”

Nicki Collas

Deputy Director, Future Hospital Programme University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital.

“Ward Williams provided excellent project management throughout the delivery of the new Endoscopy Unit at Tiverton Hospital. Their proactive approach, clear communication and ability to coordinate key stakeholders helped maintain programme momentum and drive progress with the design team. Their support and commitment were greatly appreciated, and they played a key role in the successful delivery of the project.”

Nathan Hooper

Capital Project Officer Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) Endoscopy Unit.

FAQs

Does the Blueprint cover both New Build and Refurbishments?

Yes, our Blueprint is designed to support both New Builds and Refurbishment projects. We understand that NHS estate requirements must respond to both the modernisation of existing facilities and the development of new, future-focused healthcare environments

What is the Ward Williams integrated delivery?

Throughout all our projects, we adopt an integrated delivery approach. Built around our Consult, Construct and Innovate methodology, it brings together specialist expertise, practical delivery and future-focused thinking within a single framework.

The result is a seamless, integrated service that connects strategy, delivery and innovation, helping clients navigate complexity, make better decisions and achieve lasting positive impact.

How do we help healthcare organisations make the most of limited capital funding?

Our role is to help clients make better decisions earlier. Through robust cost management, option appraisal, business case support and strategic advice, we help ensure investment is directed where it can deliver the greatest value and long-term benefit. Our teams also help secure funding through OBC, FBC, P23 as qualified Better Business Case practitioners.

Can you help us achieve our net-zero targets?

Yes. We help healthcare organisations embed sustainability, energy performance and carbon reduction into estate strategy, business cases, project delivery and long-term asset planning, ensuring net zero supports operational performance rather than becoming a standalone initiative.

How can we help you?

Contact Us