Healthcare Spaces that Bridge the Gap Between Elective Care Waiting Lists and Timely Patient Care

The slow pace of hospital estate development is falling behind the urgency of today’s healthcare challenges, putting patient safety, experience, and outcomes at risk.

Behind every headline about NHS waiting lists is a patient - someone living with pain, uncertainty, and anxiety.

More than six million people are currently on NHS waiting lists. While schemes like “Advice and Guidance” have helped divert over 113,000 patients from unnecessary referrals, many still face long delays that affect their physical and mental well-being.

These delays are not just inconvenient - they are harmful. A July 2025 report from Health.org.uk highlights the real-world consequences.

• Many patients report chronic pain that worsens over time. “The pain eats away at you. You start to lose hope, and the uncertainty adds to your hyperawareness of being in pain.”
• Mental health deterioration is common, with increased anxiety, depression, and even self-harm. “I waited nearly a year for psychological support. By the time I was seen, I was in crisis.”
• Economic hardship is growing. Patients unable to work due to untreated conditions report job loss, financial stress, and relationship breakdowns. “I lost my job because I couldn’t stand or sit for long periods. I’m now struggling to pay rent while waiting for surgery.”

The role of estates in reducing the elective backlog

While millions wait for treatment, many NHS facilities are simply not equipped to meet current demand. Delays to hospital development programmes mean vital estates are not ready — leaving patients to receive care in environments that are outdated, overcrowded, or clinically unsuitable.

This isn’t just a matter of infrastructure — it is a matter of patient safety and outcomes. Inadequate facilities contribute directly to longer waiting times, reduced service capacity, and poorer clinical results.

To safely and efficiently reduce the elective backlog, the NHS needs fit-for-purpose environments that support modern models of care. That means moving beyond long-term capital planning and embracing fast, high-quality solutions that maintain service continuity and prioritise patient wellbeing.

On-Demand® Healthcare Facilities: A strategic bridge to greater patient care

In response to this urgent need, On-Demand® Healthcare Facilities by Darwin Group® offer a strategic solution. Built to a permanent-grade standard, these modular spaces provide high-quality clinical or non-clinical environments that can be hired for the duration of need.

On-Demand bridges the gap between temporary fixes like mobile units and long-term capital builds, offering a flexible, scalable way to expand NHS capacity quickly.

Unlike traditional permanent builds, modular solutions can be deployed in weeks, not years. They offer a strategic response to today’s challenges while supporting tomorrow’s ambitions, enabling the NHS to reduce the elective backlog.

The future of Operating Theatres has arrived…

Experience the quality of our latest On-Demand facility – the Twin Ultraclean Operating Theatre, combines speed of delivery with permanent-grade quality. Fully compliant and designed around surgical workflows, it provides the flexibility to meet today’s pressures while supporting tomorrow’s care models.

Register your interest for an invitation to one of our upcoming theatre tours here: On-Demand Theatre Tour – Register Interest

To learn more about On-Demand® Healthcare Facilities from Darwin Group, contact us at OnDemand@darwingroup.co.uk