North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWA) appointed Global City Futures (GCF) to produce a Business Case for the reprovision of Medical Student Accommodation (MSA), enabling the redevelopment of the main hospital under the Government’s New Hospitals Programme (NHP).

GCF delivered a Green Book–compliant business case, initially exploring off-balance sheet options. The preferred solution ultimately focused on expanding existing modular accommodation—meeting the Trust’s requirements, remaining within CDEL limits, aligning with strict timelines, and offering commercial viability.

Accommodation challenge

NWA is redeveloping its hospital campus under the NHP, following the identification of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the main hospital building. The current MSA, used by medical students on placement from the University of Cambridge is scheduled for demolition in March 2026. The Trust must ensure vacant possession by January 2026.

A permanent MSA solution must be delivered by Spring 2028, ideally by the September 2027 academic term, in line with Health Education England agreements. As MSA reprovision funding was not included in the NHP allocation, the solution needed to be affordable within both CDEL and RDEL budgets.

The Global City Futures solution

Global City Futures was engaged to deliver a Green Book-compliant Business Case and to provide financial consultancy, including technical accounting advice and guidance on NHS capital limits and commercial delivery models.

Our analysis identified a preferred solution: combining MSA with the planned reprovision of temporary staff accommodation. This would involve relocating and expanding high-quality, net zero-in-operation modular housing.

Key benefits:

  • Supports sustainable transport, aligning with the Trust’s Green Plan

  • Maximises value for money (VfM)

  • Improves student experience through on-site accommodation

  • Provides flexibility to respond to changing demand

  • Enhances the Trust’s role in training future medical professionals

  • Achievable within challenging timeframes

  • Affordable and minimises long-term revenue impact

The positive result

GCF delivered a rigorous and thoroughly evidenced Business Case, which was approved by the NWA NHS Trust Board in May 2025.

Our client said: “It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with GCF. From the outset to the end of the project, GCF colleagues were engaged, approachable, responsive and flexible to client-led changes. The case was produced on time, despite a relatively ambitious timescale being set, and to a high standard. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to others, with similar projects in mind.”

Project lead, partners and stakeholders