The UK’s New Hospital Programme [NHP] has received a major update, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting announcing a revised timeline that extends hospital construction into the late 2030s.

Citing unrealistic promises and funding gaps in the previous government’s plan, Streeting has introduced a phased approach that will prioritise urgent projects while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the programme.

Key updates include:

A phased approach to delivery: The new plan will be rolled out in four stages, with the final phase set for 2035-2039.

Prioritising safety concerns: Hospitals built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a known safety risk, will be prioritised, with construction starting between 2027 and 2029.

A commitment to long-term investment: The government has secured an average of £3 billion per year to support hospital construction, marking the largest capital investment in NHS infrastructure since the last Labour government.

Streeting has positioned this revised plan as, ‘honest, funded and deliverable’.

What This Means for the Future of Healthcare Construction

With a longer timeline and clearer funding commitments, the NHP now presents an opportunity to rethink how hospitals are designed and built. The focus must shift from simply meeting short-term capacity needs to creating resilient, adaptable healthcare environments that will support the NHS for decades to come.

Ian Strangward, Managing Director of Architectural Wallsz, has highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience in the construction of new hospitals.

‘It is even more important than ever to build resilience and adaptability into the New Hospital Programme so these hospitals can evolve as future technologies change the way we deliver healthcare,’ explains Strangward.

‘We must prioritise adaptable, flexible buildings and interiors that can accommodate future innovations while remaining cost-effective over the next 30 years and beyond.’

At Architectural Wallsz, we specialise in modular and prefabricated interior solutions that align with this vision. Our approach ensures healthcare facilities can be reconfigured and upgraded as medical technologies evolve, allowing hospitals to remain efficient, sustainable and future-ready.

The Path Forward for the NHP

With the UK now committed to a phased, realistic approach to new hospital construction, the focus must be on building smarter, not just faster.

Investment in flexible, modular infrastructure will ensure that NHS hospitals remain fit for purpose, not just for today’s challenges but for the evolving demands of patient care in the decades ahead.

Architectural Wallsz is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, helping healthcare facilities build smarter, adaptable spaces for the future.

If you want to learn how modular, sustainable solutions can future-proof your healthcare facility, get in touch today.