Capital Programme Development
GenNorth were engaged to design and implement a capital programme for Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (QEF) for the 2024/25 financial year, ensuring its compatibility with the available Capital Departmental Expenditure Funding Limits (CDEL) funding envelope. This programme included backlog maintenance, digital advancements, and the replacement of medical equipment.
Workshops were conducted with senior Trust leaders, ensuring clinical ownership of the decision-making process. These discussions culminated in the evaluation of all proposed projects based on a weighted set of criteria aligned with the Trust’s strategic goals. This structured approach underpinned the robust prioritisation of investments.
GenNorth then drafted a procurement strategy and detailed delivery plan for the capital programme. They submitted a formal report to the Trust’s governance body to secure the necessary approvals. Upon approval, GenNorth facilitated the appointment of a design team to advance the three prioritised schemes. Furthermore, they implemented a monitoring and reporting framework to manage the programme, emphasising cost control and risk mitigation. Newly established processes, tools, and templates supported the ongoing execution of these initiatives and future projects.
In addition to delivering the immediate programme, GenNorth undertook the development of a preliminary three-year plan. This plan included projects not prioritised for 2024/25, emerging needs, and a series of ward and theatre upgrades to guide longer-term strategic planning.
The initial scope encompassed approximately £18 million worth of projects, though these were founded on limited initial data. To address this, GenNorth lead an initiative to rapidly develop a comprehensive evidence base, justifying and prioritising investments. As part of this effort, we procured and prepared four expedited feasibility studies focused on Paediatrics, Colposcopy, Audiology, and Cellular Pathology.
Achievements and Benefits:
GenNorth’s approach allowed the Trust to promptly establish a clinically validated and deliverable capital programme for 2024/25. Their efforts also justified the creation of a longer-term three-year plan, encouraging a shift towards strategic foresight.
Challenges and Solutions:
One key challenge involved designing a robust method to evaluate diverse investment priorities with varying scales and complexities equitably. GenNorth addressed this by ensuring clinical engagement and ownership throughout the process, completing the foundational prioritisation exercise within an expedited four-week timeframe.
Key Information
Location: Bradford
Date Started: April 2024
Sector: Healthcare
Role: Interim Head of Capital Projects
