Pressures on the NHS estate are mounting. A maintenance backlog of more than £13 billion, ambitious Net Zero commitments, evolving workforce models, and the move towards Integrated Care Systems all mean that healthcare facilities must work harder, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before.

At Abintra, we believe the foundation for tackling these challenges starts with a clear, data-led understanding of how space is used. That’s why we’ve partnered with Baxendale to bring our workplace utilisation technology to NHS organisations and the wider health sector.

Why Space Utilisation Matters in Healthcare

Identify underused and overused space

Many NHS estates are a complex mix of hospitals, offices, and community facilities. Without accurate utilisation data, underused areas sit idle while other spaces are stretched to capacity. Our sensor technology pinpoints these imbalances, enabling better allocation of rooms, zones, and layouts.

Reduce waste and cost

Unused or underutilised space carries a high cost. By uncovering hidden capacity, NHS organisations can avoid unnecessary new builds or leases, and reinvest savings into frontline services.

Improve facilities management

Cleaning, maintenance, and security are more efficient when aligned with actual use. Space utilisation data helps facilities teams target resources where they’re really needed.

Support staff wellbeing and productivity

Better space planning isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about people. From creating quiet focus areas for clinical teams to more comfortable break spaces, understanding how employees use the estate helps foster wellbeing and productivity.

Inform strategic decision-making

From reshaping estates to investing in technology and planning for Net Zero, robust utilisation insights give NHS leaders the confidence to make decisions that balance long-term strategy with day-to-day operational needs.

Technology-Driven Estate Decisions

Too often, estates data is incomplete, siloed, or outdated. Our sensor-based surveys cut through the complexity by providing real-time, accurate information on how spaces are used.

• Short-term surveys: Temporary deployments over days or weeks to produce occupancy heatmaps, compare bookings with actual usage, and uncover quick wins in space efficiency.
• Long-term monitoring: Continuous data feeds to support strategic decisions around redesign, workforce planning, and sustainability. Outputs include dashboards, benchmarking, and longitudinal trends.

Importantly, our sensors are confidential. They’re not CCTV; they simply capture patterns of use to give estates teams an objective view of how people interact with spaces.

Real-World Impact

In our experience, health sector organisations adopting utilisation technology have:

• Developed more people-focused estate strategies
• Adapted more effectively to hybrid and flexible working
• Accelerated progress towards Net Zero goals
• Unlocked hidden capacity without costly expansion

With growing pressures and limited resources, smarter, data-led decisions are no longer optional, they are essential.

Partnering with Baxendale for NHS transformation

Through our partnership with healthcare consultancy Baxendale, we’re combining Abintra’s cutting-edge sensor technology with Baxendale’s expertise in health sector transformation. Together, we help NHS organisations uncover hidden capacity, improve space planning, and accelerate progress towards sustainability and efficiency goals.

Build a smarter, more sustainable NHS Estate

By understanding how space is used today, NHS leaders can design smarter, more flexible, and more sustainable estates for tomorrow. Sensor-based technology is not a standalone fix, but combined with strategic insight and a people-centred approach, it can be a powerful catalyst for change.

Discover how Abintra can help your organisation unlock efficiency, improve staff experience, and deliver better value from the NHS estate.