For the first time, LST team members recently attended the Healthcare and Education Estates events in Manchester. Both provided key insights into each sector, the opportunity to share ideas, and to connect with organisations that share our passion for high quality design and construction.
Here are our top takeaways and highlights:
Healthcare Estates
Organised by the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM), this conference addressed the critical issues affecting the sector.
Many of the conversations centred on the Government’s aim to build an NHS that is fit for the future. Modernising the estate through refurbishment and new build together with a need to become net zero by 2045, will present many challenges though. The solutions required are varied, including an urgent need to address the skills gap by attracting new talent via apprenticeship and chartership schemes.
With time and funding in short supply, modular construction remains key to increasing healthcare infrastructure, including temporary spaces and larger, new build projects. It was interesting to hear from several offsite specialists about future opportunities and how they are supporting the sector.
We also spoke with several government procurement bodies to register on their frameworks, and connected with likeminded estates and facilities managers, architects and consultants.
The Healthcare Estates Awards Ceremony, which took place on the first day of the event, was a particular highlight. The refurbishment of the Crawley Hospital Child Development Centre, which was designed by Jefferson Sheard Architects and delivered by LST, was crowned Refurbishment Project of the Year. Patrick Mballa, our Sales and Estimating Director, joined the Jefferson Sheard team on stage to collect the award.
Following the success of Healthcare Estates 2024, LST is now a proud member of IHEEM and are planning to exhibit next year to ensure a stronger presence at the event.
Education Estates
Covering areas ranging from funding and design through to construction and management, this conference provided valuable insights and best practice.
We learned about the Department of Education’s plans for collaboration, which would see estates managers, architects and consultants join forces to address current challenges in delivering educational infrastructure. As part of this aim, innovation needs to increase to develop the design and construction of learning environments that are fit for purpose.
The delivery of net zero strategies and providing more support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are top priorities. Greater partnership working across the supply chain will be required to achieve targets as well greater flexibility and creativity when designing learning spaces for SEND.
The Procurement Act, which comes into force in February 2025, was another hot topic. We look forward to the increased flexibility and transparency this legislation should bring as well as more opportunities for SMEs to deliver education projects.
Similar to Healthcare Estates, the event also provided the chance to explore new frameworks as well as excellent networking enabling us to connect with Education Estates Managers who we are keen to support with our specialist skills and experience.
Looking Ahead
Both conferences underlined the importance of collaborative partnerships, forward thinking strategies and sustainable approaches to enhancing infrastructure in healthcare and education.
As specialists in both sectors, we look forward to working with our partners to help address the challenges, grasp new opportunities, and deliver expertise that makes a positive contribution now and in the future.
