A Spotlight on The Third Way
A key moment of the day was a high-profile panel discussion chaired by Hayley Smith – Strategy and Transformation Director, who guided a dynamic conversation on the Third Way, the flexible, future focused approach to healthcare estate design championed by Darwin Group.
Joining her on the panel were:
- Louis Sullivan, Head of Architecture, Darwin Group
- Professor Martin Elliott, Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon and internationally recognised clinical leader
Together, they explored how the Third Way bridges the gap between traditional capital builds and temporary solutions, offering a new model that is:
- Flexible enough to adapt to clinical need
- Scalable to support longterm service transformation
- Rapidly deployable without compromising quality or safety
- Clinically led, ensuring environments are designed around real-world surgical workflows
A Conversation Rooted in Clinical Reality
Professor Elliott brought a powerful clinical perspective, reflecting on the pressures facing surgical services - from rising demand to the need for environments that support modern, multidisciplinary care. His insights underscored the importance of estates solutions that evolve with clinical practice rather than constrain it.
Louis Sullivan expanded on how Darwin Group architectural approach translates these needs into built form, emphasising:
- Human-centred design
- Operational efficiency
- Sustainability
- The ability to future-proof estates against shifting models of care
Hayley Smith’s facilitation drew out the synergy between clinical ambition and architectural innovation, illustrating how the Third Way enables trusts to expand capacity, reduce backlog pressures, and create environments that genuinely elevate patient and staff experience.
A Strong Presence at The Surgeon Show
Beyond the panel, the Darwin Group team engaged with surgeons, trust leaders, and system partners throughout the event, sharing case studies and discussing how flexible estates solutions can unlock new possibilities for surgical pathways.
The day reinforced the Darwin Group commitment to working hand-in-hand with clinicians to deliver infrastructure that is not only technically advanced but deeply aligned with the realities of modern healthcare.
