In the healthcare sector, efficiently assessing and managing estates is essential for maintaining safe, functional, and compliant facilities. Central to this process is the Six Facet Survey, a comprehensive set of surveys that are carried out by NIFES to help assess the complex maintenance and planning standards that need to be met across the NHS estate.
This article explores the methodology of the Six Facet Survey and explains how NIFES helps many NHS Trusts optimise their estates considering condition and statutory compliance identifying their backlog requirements.
What does a Six Facet Survey include?
The Six Facet Survey is a multifaceted approach encompassing surveys and reviews, each conducted by specialised teams experienced in their respective fields.
Each facet is critical to the maintenance and strategic planning of NHS estates:
- Facet 1: Physical Condition. A comprehensive assessment of the estate’s internal and external building fabric, including mechanical and electrical systems.
- Facet 2: Functional Suitability. An evaluation of how well the facility supports its intended purpose and functions, including internal space relationships, location, layout, and support facilities.
- Facet 3: Space Utilisation. A review of how efficiently and intensively space is used, including guidance on areas for optimisation.
- Facet 4: Quality. An assessment focusing on the quality of the environment provided by the building, including comfort and design aesthetics.
- Facet 5: Statutory Compliance. A thorough check of compliance factors, including fire safety, health and safety, legionellosis, and asbestos.
- Facet 6: Environmental Management. An evaluation of the building’s environmental impact, assessing energy efficiency, water, waste, and transport.
Each aspect is methodically evaluated with detailed information collected ensuring consistency and accuracy. The data provides a clear picture of the remedial action needed to establish the backlog figures for ERIC reporting.
Why the Six Facet Survey matters
The Six Facet Survey is more than just a checklist; it is the backbone of intelligent estate management within the NHS, it forms the core estate information required by the NHS.
The survey is crucial for:
- Risk Management: By identifying and prioritising risks, the survey aids in planning backlog to ensure safety and compliance.
- Financial Planning: Accurate assessment of the estate’s condition facilitates better budgeting and resource allocation.
- Regulatory Compliance: The survey supports accurate ERIC (Estates Returns Information Collection) returns, ensuring that facilities meet the new required standards.
Evolving needs
NIFES have developed advanced capabilities to deliver realistic, user-friendly, and independent surveys carried out by experienced building and engineering surveyors. Over time, insights have led us to include supplementary detail within each survey to best serve the needs of the NHS:
- ERIC Return Information
- Assessment of Backlog Maintenance
- Strategic Services Development Plans
- Support with Estates Strategy Development
- Measured Surveys and updating of Drawings
- Future Cost Strategy and Planning
- Disabled Access Audits
The evolution of the Six Facet Survey
With a 70-year history advising the NHS, it’s no surprise that much of today’s standard industry practices were established by NIFES. In 1990, NIFES supported the development of the ‘Five Facet Survey’ methodology in response to the Department of Health’s ‘Estatecode’ guidance on property appraisal, providing a structured approach to property assessment within the NHS.
In 2002, the Five Facet Survey evolved into the Six Facet Survey based on NHS Estate Land and Property Appraisal recommendations. In 2004, NIFES further upgraded our approach and methodology to align with the NHS publication ‘A Risk Based Methodology for Establishing and Managing Backlog,’ ensuring a robust framework for evaluating and managing NHS properties.
Over the past 34 years, NIFES have continued to lead the way. Over 80% of NHS Trusts and Boards rely on NIFES, intelligently assessing their estates’ condition, functionality, and compliance, based on the core estate information required under NHS Estatecode/HBN 00-08.
Why NIFES?
With an extensive 70-year history, NIFES is a pioneer in the industry with over 34 years of experience delivering surveys to the NHS.
Today, our dedicated Property Appraisal Division of experienced consultants focuses solely on Facet Surveys and Risk Assessment of Backlog on behalf of NHS Trusts. Each year, NIFES survey approximately 2,500,000m² of gross internal floor area within the NHS and have been trusted by over 80% of NHS Trusts and Boards. Our inclusion in NHS Shared Business Service (NHS SBS) Framework Agreements underscores our credibility and facilitates seamless collaboration with NHS estates allowing a direct award.
Our approach also includes five-year programmes of annual 20% resurveys and 80% desktop reviews, ensuring that backlog costs, capital expenditure programmes, and risk profiles are continually updated, providing essential data for annual ERIC returns and strategic planning.
If you need more detailed information about how the Six Facet Survey can be of benefit or require assistance with estate management, we’d love to help.
