The NHS is under constant pressure to provide more space for patients and staff. Building new hospitals or expanding existing ones takes time and money, but modular construction offers a quicker option. The NHS modular building framework is designed to make the process easier and more affordable.
Think of the framework as a ready-made list of trusted suppliers who can deliver modular buildings for healthcare. Instead of running long and complex tenders, Trusts can select from approved providers who already meet NHS standards.
With waiting lists rising and services stretched, the framework allows expansion of wards and other facilities to be delivered faster. It gives the NHS an adaptable way to expand while keeping quality under control.
Understanding the NHS Modular Building Framework
The NHS modular building framework provides a structured, reliable way for Trusts to source modular buildings without getting bogged down in lengthy procurement processes. By knowing its purpose, scope, and benefits, estate teams can make smarter decisions and get projects moving faster.
Purpose and Scope Within the NHS
The NHS modular building framework was created by NHS Shared Business Services in June 2025 and runs until 2029. It is open to NHS organisations as well as schools, councils, and other public bodies.
Its main role is to give buyers a straightforward route to procure modular buildings. Because suppliers have already been checked and approved, Trusts can avoid repeating lengthy tendering exercises for every project.
Coverage is broad, ranging from small GP surgery extensions to permanent multi-storey hospitals worth more than £25 million. That range makes it useful for both short-term fixes and major estate developments.
Benefits for Healthcare Construction Projects
Speed is a major benefit. Modular buildings can often be delivered in half the time of traditional construction, which helps hospitals add capacity quickly when demand surges.
Sustainability is another strength. Research from ScienceDirect shows that offsite construction can cut carbon emissions and waste by up to 50 per cent, which supports the NHS in its drive toward net zero.
Quality is also assured through the framework. Suppliers must meet strict NHS standards, so Trusts know the facilities will be safe, reliable, and ready for clinical use.
How the NHS Modular Building Framework Supports Hospital Expansion
Expanding a hospital is often a race against time and budget. The framework makes it simpler to add wards, operating theatres, or diagnostic centres efficiently. By offering clear routes for procurement and ensuring suppliers meet NHS standards, it helps hospitals increase capacity without compromising quality or compliance.
Streamlined Procurement and Compliance
One of the biggest barriers in healthcare building is the time taken on procurement. The NHS modular building framework makes the process simpler by offering two options: A direct award to a chosen supplier, or a mini-competition between approved providers.
Both approaches are fully compliant with public sector rules, meaning hospitals save time while staying within regulations. This is particularly valuable when projects are urgent, such as replacing unsafe estate or adding capacity ahead of winter.
Guidance, templates, and advice are available too, helping estate teams keep projects on track without having to create processes from scratch.
Maintaining Standards Through Approved Suppliers
Suppliers on the framework have already demonstrated that they can deliver NHS projects safely and effectively. This gives Trusts confidence when selecting partners.
Every project must also follow NHS Health Technical Memoranda and Health Building Notes, which set strict standards for ventilation, infection control, and clinical layouts. By working within these guidelines, quality and safety are maintained.
The result is a process where hospitals gain new spaces quickly, but without cutting corners. Approved suppliers are trusted to meet both clinical needs and construction best practice.
Maximising Value From the NHS Modular Building Framework
Adding new clinical space is only part of the challenge. Making sure the investment delivers real value is just as important. The framework allows Trusts to reduce costs, shorten construction times, and deliver flexible facilities that adapt as needs change.
Reducing Project Timelines and Costs
Time saved often means money saved. With modular construction, project timelines can be reduced by as much as 50 per cent, which also speeds up patient access to vital services.
Building in a factory setting allows for greater efficiency, less material waste, and improved long-term performance. That translates into lower operating costs over the life of the building.
Procurement itself is also more cost-effective. By using framework templates and approved suppliers, Trusts avoid expensive consultancy work and lengthy bidding processes.
Meeting the Demand for Flexible Healthcare Facilities
Patient demand continues to rise sharply. By the middle of 2025, more than seven million people were waiting for treatment in England, and almost two million were waiting for key diagnostic tests.
The NHS modular building framework helps Trusts create flexible facilities such as imaging centres, operating theatres, and extra wards. Some buildings can be permanent, while others are used as temporary solutions during refurbishment work.
Because modular units can be moved, reconfigured, or expanded, they provide long-term flexibility. Hospitals can adapt as needs change, ensuring investment remains useful for years to come.
