NHS ‘wasted’ floor space costs £2.3bn

The NHS could save £2.3bn by ditching or improving under-utilised floorspace, a report by consultant EC Harris has found.

The report (attached right) into healthcare efficiency found the NHS has unused or underutilised space equivalent to the size of Hyde Park in London.

In addition, 12.8% of the NHS estate is functionally unsuitable, equivalent to three times the size of Hyde Park, the report said.

The report urges government to take action on unsuitable space, either by selling it off or investing to improve its efficiency.

Conor Ellis, health sector leader at EC Harris, said: “Trusts should be planning strategically to look at long term savings. Everyone accepts that health is facing a more-for-less agenda over the next five years plus.”