Overview
Bolton faced rising health inequalities and negative mental health effects, aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
The lease at St Peters House - Bolton CCG’s HQ - was nearing expiry in February 2020. Bolton ICB paid for significant vacant space at nearby Lever Chambers Health Centre. The ICB wanted to reduce the current floor space and deliver cost savings.
We struck a new deal with the Lever Chambers landlord to extend the lease for an additional 10 years. This allowed Bolton ICB to consolidate their operations onto a smaller footprint, reduce vacant space and terminate the lease at St Peters House. We negotiated a capital contribution with the landlord for planned construction works, and also invested £800,000 for relocation and reconfiguration of existing space.
We managed the design process, working closely with the CCG and clinical service providers who would be relocating to Lever Chambers to minimise disruptions to clinical services. This enabled our Construction team to tender out the work, firm up the capital costs, and successfully submit a robust financial proposal. Lever Chambers Health Centre reopened in May 2020.
Impact
- Financial savings: Consolidating and reducing vacant space onto a smaller, more efficient footprint, resulted in £2.5 million in savings for the NHS over a ten-year period.
- Improved facilities: Reconfiguring clinical and administrative areas, along with refurbished rooms and increased capacity, greatly enhanced the patient and staff experience.
- Flexible space utilisation: The addition of more bookable clinical rooms allowed for flexible use of space, which can adapt to changing and future needs.
- Enhanced work environment: The third floor now housed the CCG Headquarters, providing a modern workspace for 75 staff members, including open-plan offices, smaller offices, executive offices, meeting rooms, and improved rest facilities.
- Sustainability: The project incorporated sustainable practices, such as LED lighting, sensor switching, and more efficient heating systems.
