- NHS Property Services’ Open Space initiative offer flexible, affordable clinical and non-clinical space across England for those needing alternative ways of working as they get back to business
- An Open Space site will open at Padiham Health Centre in Padiham on 30 September.
- The NHS Property Services programme opens up underused space across the NHS, enabling health and wellbeing providers to offer much needed services at the heart of local communities, and providing businesses with affordable meeting or office space
- Proceeds from the scheme are set to be reinvested back into the NHS at a critical time for the health service
Health and wellbeing providers looking for flexible ways to deliver services in Burnley can now use NHS pay-as-you-go spaces across England through NHS Property Services’ (NHSPS) ‘NHS Open Space’ initiative.
On 30th September, NHSPS will be opening an NHS Open Space site at Padiham Health Centre.
The NHS Open Space scheme offers clinical and non-clinical spaces for hire on an hourly or daily basis, with greater flexibility and choice at an affordable price.
Health and wellbeing providers as well as businesses and community groups in Burnley and Padiham can use NHS Open Space to easily find and book clinical and non-clinical rooms within their local communities, while being reassured of the safety of themselves and their customers.
The intuitive booking system means that users only pay for the time and space they need, which could provide much-needed relief on finances for independent and small businesses in the midst of the pandemic. It also makes better use of the NHS estate, driving money back into the health service at a critical time.
Antony Higginbotham Member of Parliament for Burnley, said:
I welcome this new initiative, and very much look forward to the benefits it will bring not only to Health and Wellbeing professionals, but community groups and businesses, which form the backbone of my constituency. Previously underused space in NHS Property Services’ portfolio will be put to good use, and I am delighted to hear that the proceeds of the scheme will be reinvested into the NHS.
John Westwood, Director of Asset Management at NHSPS, said:
We know many NHS providers will be looking for more flexible property and space options in the wake of the pandemic as ways of working and operating change. For many, cleanliness and infection control will be front of mind, as they will want the confidence to inform their customers they are in a safe space. Safety has been, and still is our number one priority. Using an NHS space will help take another weight off services’ minds, as providers and patients alike can count on us to ensure that all available sites are cleaned and maintained to the highest of safety standards.
