Leighton Hospital Redevelopment
Unlocking over £1bn in capital value, Archus’ Strategic Outline Case for Leighton Hospital secured its place in the New Hospital Programme.
Archus was proactive in aligning their project planning and risk with management processes with those of the Trust. Archus lead a very helpful learning from experience session afterwards, which has fed into our other projects.
Russ Favager, Director of Finance
Challenge
Leighton Hospital, built with over 33,000m² of RAAC, faced urgent safety risks following a 2019 national alert requiring removal of all RAAC from NHS estates by 2030, prompting the Trust to develop a strategic case for rapid investment in a safe, future-proof hospital.
Approach
Strategic Outline Case (2020–21)
Archus developed a Strategic Outline Case in just seven months during the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning with national priorities like Net Zero Carbon, MMC, and integrated care.
The SOC secured board approval and enabled the Trust’s inclusion in the National Hospital Programme.
Archus co-designed a 100% single-room ward block (Four Ward Block) to support decant and inform phase one of the new hospital.
The design, developed with clinical teams to RIBA Stage 3, set a new standard for flexible, cost-effective inpatient accommodation.
Demand & Capacity Model and Clinical Brief (2023–present)
Following inclusion in the NHP in May 2023, Archus supported MCHFT with clinical briefing and demand and capacity modelling to inform a revised SOC.
Archus partnered with the Trust’s transformation workstream to develop a Clinical Output Specification and comprehensive clinical brief.
The brief was grounded in site knowledge, care model expertise, and extensive engagement with clinical and non-clinical teams.
Using Python-based tools, Archus delivered rapid scenario testing and granular analysis by patient cohort and procedure.
This enabled the Trust to explore future-state options and make confident, data-driven decisions.
Outcomes
Over £1bn in capital value was unlocked through a robust SOC and strategic engagement, with NHP inclusion confirmed in May 2023.
The SOC met NHP requirements while complying with Green Book, NHSE guidance, and fundamental criteria.
Archus’s cost-efficient design avoided pressures seen in other schemes.
Data-driven planning allowed the Trust to model future demand and test transformation levers.
Archus’s standardised, flexible design is shaping phase one of the new hospital.
The SOC was delivered in just seven months during the pandemic.
A RIBA Stage 3 design for a 100% single-room ward block was co-developed with clinical teams.
Advanced modelling projected demand to 2037, supporting confident decision-making.
Clinical and operational alignment ensured the SOC met national scrutiny and transformation goals.
The transformation roadmap was enabled, allowing the Trust to monitor and adapt initiatives ahead of new facilities.
Connect with Archus to co-develop a Strategic Outline Case that meets national scrutiny and unlocks funding.
