First non-foundation trust signs strategic estates partnership
Isle of Wight NHS Trust signs ground-breaking strategic estates partnership agreement with Ryhurst to deliver wide-ranging estates strategy
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has signed a ground-breaking strategic estates partnership agreement with Ryhurst to deliver a wide-ranging estates strategy that supports the delivery of excellent patient care.
The organisation is the first non-foundation trust to enter into a 50:50 Joint Venture partnership with a private-sector partner. By utilising the estate to its full potential, the move will support the trust’s aspirations to provide quality care for everyone, every time and promote the integrated care pathways provided across the island.
The trust, which released the OJEU in January, has now legally formed the Wight Life Partnership LLP, with approval and backing from the NHS Trust Development Authority, signifying the start of the 15-year agreement with an option to extend for a further five years.
Karen Baker, Isle of Wight NHS Trust chief executive, said: “As an organisation that is committed to innovative ways of working, we are excited to work with Ryhurst to make sure we can reinvest for the future. Working with partners across health and social care, in order to provide excellent patient care, it is important to have up-to-date, state-of-the-art facilities.”
“Our clinical strategy outlines how more care will be provided in local communities and patient homes with specialised services centralised on the St Mary’s Hospital site. By working in partnership, we will look to make the best use of our estate to support high-quality clinical services that meet the needs of the Island communities we serve.”
Stephen Collinson, managing director of Ryhurst, added: “In an ever-changing healthcare environment, our innovative partnership model continues to bring real value to deliver long-term, strategic benefits for NHS estates. We are delighted to be working with Isle of Wight NHS Trust, marking the start of a journey that will draw on both our capabilities to add real value to the trust’s estate for the benefit of staff and patients.
Through Wight Life Partnership, both parties will work in partnership to undertake a comprehensive review of the estate across all Isle of Wight NHS Trust sites, ensuring that buildings and grounds are fully utilised and are suitable for the delivery of modern healthcare. The aim is to improve asset efficiency and help to identify and develop any commercial opportunities.
To maximise the benefits of this new partnership it is anticipated that Wight Life Partnership will also work closely with other health and social care system partners on the Isle of Wight. This will assist in aligning estate strategies to enable the joint island health and social care vision Person centred, co-ordinated health and social care to become a reality.