First launched in 2016, the ‘complete space management system’ was developed for the whole healthcare sector, and provides all NHS and public sector landlords with a suite of specialist estates management, booking and analytics tools, ‘complemented by expert support and guidance from healthcare sector specialists’. NHSPS explained: “NHS Open Space helps landlords better understand how their estate is being used at a room, property, or portfolio level, through one-off utilisation studies or ongoing monitoring. Landlords can then use it to better manage their buildings, either as an internal booking system, or to make rooms available to other organisations to monetise underutilised space. This enables landlords to drive maximum value through new revenue streams and reduce ongoing costs.”
Since launch, around 7,000 users have successfully provided more than 160 services to patients over 3.5 million consultation hours.
The self-service booking platform remains at the heart of the NHS Open Space estate management system, providing users with the ability to search, book, and use space quickly. Community Health Partnerships, head tenant in 308 health care buildings across England, is currently working together with NHS Open Space on a pilot using the platform across 18 buildings in the Midlands and London regions.
Chris King, head of Open Space for NHSPS, explained: “We have enhanced NHS Open Space based on customer feedback, and it now provides them with clarity and control to assess, manage, and evaluate their estate. It will help provide meaningful utilisation data collection, and reduce administration time, increasing cost recovery for our NHS customers – which is critical as they focus on forecasting and budget management as we enter a new financial year. We’re also thrilled to be welcoming CHP on board this month, and look forward to collaborating with them as part of a pilot scheme to create an improved experience for their tenants and customers.”
Phil Brenner, Strategic Estates advisor at Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board, which has used the service since 2020, has seen the benefit of NHS Open Space in his organisation. He said: ““We are pleased to see the extension of NHS Open Space to our Estates colleagues and landlords across the NHS, having experienced for ourselves the benefits and positive outcomes it brings to our estates management strategy. We look forward to working with NHSPS to further improve and develop the work we are doing together, to ensure our clinicians and patients experience the efficiencies brought about by the recent system enhancements. We feel assured that the new offer will further improve access to the excellent care delivered to patients across our estate.”