Project overview
The Heartlands Treatment Centre (HTC) is a landmark £98.2 million healthcare development delivered for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Conceived over a decade and representing the first major capital investment at Heartlands Hospital since 2008, the project was designed to expand healthcare capacity, improve patient access and support new integrated models of care for a growing and diverse population.
Archus supported the programme from inception through to operational opening. Initially commissioned to lead the Outline Business Case (OBC) and Full Business Case (FBC), our team successfully secured funding approval in 2019 by developing a robust investment case capable of withstanding rigorous NHS scrutiny. Following approval, Archus was appointed as the P22 Delivery Team Lead, overseeing project management through design completion, construction, commissioning and handover.
Construction commenced in April 2020 amidst extraordinary challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and significant economic uncertainty. Through proactive governance, collaborative partnership working and transparent programme management, Archus helped maintain progress while enabling the Trust to respond to emerging requirements, including future-proofing the facility through design adaptations.
Today, the Heartlands Treatment Centre provides a modern, integrated environment capable of treating up to 1,500 patients each day, bringing diagnostics, imaging, therapies, endoscopy, outpatient services and day-case procedures together under one roof while supporting long-term service transformation across Birmingham.
Outcomes
- Delivered a £98.2 million treatment centre on programme and within budget despite highly challenging market conditions.
- Successfully secured funding approval through the development of robust Outline and Full Business Cases.
- Created an award-winning healthcare facility recognised nationally for excellence in design, delivery and patient benefit.
The challenge
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust needed to expand capacity and modernise care delivery at Heartlands Hospital to meet the needs of a growing population. The project required the development of new patient pathways, better integration of services and a facility capable of supporting future healthcare demands.
Following funding approval, the programme faced unprecedented challenges. Construction took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, against a backdrop of Brexit-related disruption, inflationary pressures and supply chain uncertainty. The project also had to be delivered within the constraints of a live hospital environment while maintaining momentum and ensuring value for money.
The solution
Archus provided end-to-end support across both the business case and delivery phases. Our Better Business Case™ practitioners led the development of the Outline and Full Business Cases, securing funding approval and establishing a strong strategic foundation for the programme.
Following approval, Archus took on the role of P22 Delivery Team Lead, managing a multidisciplinary team through detailed design, construction and handover. We implemented transparent governance structures, rigorous project controls and collaborative working practices that enabled the Trust and delivery partners to respond effectively to changing circumstances.
The project team also embraced innovation, adapting elements of the design to reflect emerging healthcare requirements and ensuring the facility remained fit for future needs.
The impact
The Heartlands Treatment Centre has transformed both patient and staff experience by delivering a modern, integrated healthcare facility designed around patient needs. With diagnostics, treatment and supporting services located within a single building, the centre has streamlined pathways, improved access to care and enhanced operational efficiency.
Capable of treating up to 1,500 patients each day, the facility has helped reduce waiting times and improve patient satisfaction while supporting recruitment, retention and more flexible workforce models. Sustainability was embedded throughout the programme, with the building achieving BREEAM Excellent and an A+ EPC rating, supporting both Trust and NHS net-zero ambitions.
The project’s successful delivery, recognised through multiple national awards, demonstrates the value of strong collaboration, robust programme management and strategic leadership in delivering complex healthcare infrastructure at scale.
