The healthcare industry is integral to the wellbeing of an entire population, where both public services and private corporations are committed to providing essential care to the multitudes.

As a large industry scale, the healthcare sector delivers everything from annual checkups to life saving surgeries and innovative research, where this can be logistically and financially challenging to maintain.

As such, resources and infrastructure must be handled with care, particularly when tight budgets need to be adhered to. That’s where modular buildings come in. These temporary structures can be used to offer services and provide space wherever funding shortfalls occur, meaning that patients can still receive the vital care they need.

Read on to find out more about how modular buildings are used across the healthcare industry, with a look at some key applications and the benefits these structures can offer.



What is a Modular Building?

A modular building is a prefabricated, temporary structure that can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Each unit is manufactured off-site and then delivered in full, allowing for structures to be utilised right away once they have been installed.

These buildings typically consist of simple, hard wearing exteriors, whilst their interiors can be modified to suit a range of applications. Some can be fitted with heating and electricity, while others will have soft furnishings, kitchen appliances and other essential utilities.

Traditionally, modular buildings are intended for the construction industry, where they can provide storage space for equipment, as well as temporary on-site offices and accommodation for workers.

In reality however, these modular units can be used for a broad array of applications, where they may be installed as temporary classrooms, welfare facilities or commercial showrooms.

Applications in the Healthcare Industry

Due to the broad nature of the healthcare industry, there are numerous different ways that a modular building can be used. Some of these applications are discussed below:

Vaccination Centres

Life-saving vaccinations only take a few seconds to administer, so it is not always necessary to attend a hospital or medical facility to receive this service. As such, some vaccine roll-outs are delivered with the help of modular buildings, where these temporary structures can allow vaccines to be given to patients across the country, even in areas that are not nearby mainstream medical centres.

Testing & Screening Services

Health screenings and other medical tests can also be delivered outside of a hospital environment, particularly if equipment is provided by a non-NHS subcontractor. Modular buildings can be fitted with screening devices and other tools which will allow trained professionals to carry out tests in locations that are convenient for patients.

Emergency Scenarios

Modular buildings are utilised internationally to respond to emergency healthcare situations. They could be built for use as a temporary hospital in a disaster zone, or as a medical aid distribution centre during a conflict. Equally, these modular structures can come in handy to provide additional resources during global health events such as a pandemic.

Office Spaces

Administration is just as important in the healthcare industry as life saving frontline care, where lots of work goes into running medical services behind the scenes. As such, temporary office spaces may be needed if a facility is at maximum capacity or if renovations are underway, where modular buildings can help in these instances. Modular units can be fitted out with kitchens, lighting and other comforts found in a traditional office, helping to keep your admin team happy.

Community Outreach

As modular buildings can be constructed in remote or disconnected areas, they can also be used to provide a range of essential community outreach services. They may be used as a space for community healthcare meetings and activities, particularly if mainstream facilities are at full capacity. For instance, targeted maternity classes or addiction anonymous groups could be held in these spaces until funding for permanent infrastructure is found.

Specialist Laboratories

Some elements of the healthcare industry revolve around laboratory research, where this is essential for furthering the pursuit of specific treatments and cures. These labs may be stationed in a remote location if a rare disease is being researched, or they may contain specialist equipment that needs to be housed at a distance from populated areas. Modular buildings can provide a solution in these contexts.

Off-Site Storage

Healthcare work of all kinds requires large volumes of resources, where medical essentials such as syringes, protective gloves and bandages need to be stored somewhere. If a warehouse or storage facility is at full capacity, then a modular building could be used to plug the gap, where this may be necessary during a health crisis or if there’s a shortfall of specific resources.

Testing Facilities

Testing is a major part of the healthcare industry, where all new medicines and treatments need to be carefully scrutinised before they are made available to the public. As such, temporary testing facilities may be required if a drug is needed urgently, or if quality control checks need to be carried out on a broad scale. Modular buildings can provide an ideal solution in these scenarios, giving medical teams the time and space they need to carry out their tests properly.

Why Modular Buildings Appeal to the Healthcare Sector

There are numerous advantages to using a modular building, where many of these benefits appeal directly to the healthcare industry. Some beneficial qualities of these temporary structures include:

Affordability - Modular buildings are typically much cheaper than permanent structures, meaning they are a useful option for organisations with tight budget restrictions. This also means that multiple buildings can be installed at a low cost, giving healthcare professionals the space they need.

Customisable - Though the exterior of a modular building may be simplistic, its interior can be customised to suit the specific needs of those who are using it. Utilities, soft furnishings and comfortable decor can all be added to make this space fit for purpose. As such, modular buildings can be adapted to suit a range of healthcare scenarios.

Versatility - There are so many ways that a modular building can be used in a healthcare context. This means that if a service has come to an end, then the unit can be repurposed in a different way, helping organisations to conserve funds and reduce waste.

Temporary - Not all medical infrastructure needs to be permanent, particularly if a health situation is evolving or short term in nature. This means that a temporary modular building can make for a smart choice compared to a fixed installation, particularly if you’re awaiting funding for a permanent structure.

Weatherproof - Modular buildings are also designed to withstand a range of weather conditions, including high winds and heavy rain. This means that the interior will be protected all year round, which is especially important if the unit contains vulnerable patients or expensive equipment.

Quick Installation - Due to the prefabricated nature of modular buildings, you won’t have to wait around for extensive building work to take place. This is essential if you need to start using your unit right away, where modular cabins are usable from the moment they’re installed.

Relocatable Building Systems: Modular Cabins For Your Next Project

At Relocatable Building Systems, we supply a range of prefabricated units that are designed to suit your business needs, whether you’re looking to provide a temporary vaccination service or an overflow space for your hospital administration work.

Our System One temporary buildings typically measure 20ft x 8ft as standard, but we can provide custom sizes and other adjustments if needed. Additionally, we offer a range of modular office solutions, where these units can be kitted out with washing, cooking and lighting facilities to keep your staff comfortable.

Beyond this, we can provide prefabricated marketing suites and modular classrooms, where these options are built to appeal to clients from a wide range of industries. Our units are hard-wearing, weatherproof and versatile, where we also offer a unit refurbishment service to help your modular cabin to last as long as possible.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about our modular cabins, or to ask us how our units can be used to support your upcoming healthcare project.