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Building Safety Act Training for Royal Free NHS London Project Managers

Posted Friday 19 June, 2026 in News

Knowledge sharing and collaboration are just as important as project delivery in today’s evolving construction and healthcare environment.

Recently, Johnson Design Partnership had the pleasure of visiting the Capital Estates team at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust to deliver a dedicated training session focused on responsibilities under the Building Safety Act 2022. The session also explored the key differences between the role of the Building Safety Act Principal Designer and the CDM Principal Designer, helping clarify duties across complex healthcare projects.

As the industry continues to adapt to the requirements of the Building Safety Act, there is an increasing need for clear understanding around dutyholder responsibilities, competence requirements, and the practical application of the new regulatory framework. The session provided an opportunity for open discussion around these topics, as well as the real-world challenges being experienced across NHS and healthcare developments.

A key focus of the training was improving understanding of how early-stage collaboration and clear role definition can support smoother project delivery, reduce risk, and improve compliance outcomes. Discussions also covered lessons learned from live healthcare projects, including examples of successful approaches already being adopted by NHS Trusts working under the new legislation.

The aim of the session was to support Capital Estates and wider project teams in strengthening confidence around supplier appointments, improving coordination between stakeholders, and enhancing the overall delivery of safe and compliant healthcare facilities.

In addition to the training session, wider sector developments continue to highlight the importance of effective regulatory support. The recent establishment of a dedicated Building Safety Regulator team to support hospital projects through the Gateway process represents a positive step forward for the healthcare sector. It reflects a growing recognition of the complexity of delivering healthcare infrastructure under the Building Safety Act framework and the need for more consistent, specialist engagement.

From our experience acting as Building Safety Act Principal Designers on healthcare projects, early engagement, robust design coordination, and clearly defined responsibilities are essential to achieving successful Gateway submissions. While increased regulatory scrutiny is vital to ensuring safer buildings, consistent interpretation and timely feedback are equally important in supporting efficient project delivery.

The introduction of a specialist healthcare-focused team within the Building Safety Regulator is expected to improve consistency, strengthen understanding of healthcare-specific challenges, and provide greater certainty for NHS Trusts and project teams navigating the approval process.

Johnson Design Partnership remains committed to supporting clients through this evolving regulatory landscape, helping to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality healthcare environments across the UK.

We look forward to continuing to share knowledge, support NHS partners, and contribute to the successful delivery of critical healthcare infrastructure.

37 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews
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I have now been living for two years in a house designed by Johnson Partnership. Matt Spinks and his team were our main contacts and we were delighted in the way they handled and developed our brief. The test of course is whether the house works as a home in winter and summer. This Johnson design passes the test with flying colours: the house meets all of our requirements for a comfortable, warm, airy and modern home.

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Mr Kitchen, Kinver
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“We wanted a small extension to the rear of our property, to create an open-plan kitchen dining area. Vic and Matt helped us understand what could be achieved ticking all our wish list and more by also adding a utility and downstairs toilet creating a space we didn’t think was possible. They supported us at every stage of the project through to completion, providing their expertise every step of the way, making the whole process painless. We are really pleased with the result, turning our house into our dream family home.”

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Mark Evans
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Your expertise has helped bring our vision for the new library to life, creating an inspiring space for our students.

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Telford College
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It had taken eighteen months for us to decide that we would re-locate to the ‘Strettons’. Moving house for us meant also moving an established ceramics and painting studio, we were concerned about finding a property within our budget that would also have the appropriate space.

It was obvious from our early property searches that finding the perfect ‘fit’ was very unlikely, so we took the opportunity to visit an open information weekend run by Johnson Design Partnership. We were immediately encouraged by what we saw and once we had purchased the property, we invited Johnson Design to visit and take a look.

Our original idea was to do a loft conversion as planning permission was already in place, but after a couple of exploratory meetings it became clear that this was unlikely to exploit the position of the property to its best advantage or indeed answer our need for comfortable bespoke studio space. These design conversations helped us focus on the true potential of the property, gradually the idea of a glass link between the original house and separate garage emerged as the way forward.

The final result is overwhelmingly better than we imagined it might be. ‘The Link ‘ has already become a creative centre, providing a light and airy space connecting inside and outside areas from both studio and house; not only is it a functional dining and living area but a truly peaceful and contemplative place to soak up the stunning changes in light of the sky and the landscape which surround us, but also a space to dream and imagine – a painting or ceramic form in the making?

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Mr and Mrs Farrell - Stretton Hills, Shropshire
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Our project was not the biggest in the whole grand scheme of things but Vic approached the design brief with enthusiasm and Matt guided us through the process, as project manager with patience and good advice. We were pleased that Johnsons Design Partnership are prepared to work on smaller projects as well as the bigger more flamboyant ones. We are really happy with the finished result.

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Diane Malyon
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I have known Vic Johnson over several years during which time he has carried out several successful college projects with his company Johnson Design Partnership. Last year the company was short listed for a major design guide project for the Learning and Skills Council itself. Johnson Designs dedication, efficiency and track record make them ideally suited for a range of College projects and I would have no hesitation in recommending them for such schemes.

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Roger Taylor, Director of Property and Facilities for Learning and Skills Council, Learning and Skills Council
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I worked closely with Johnson Design Partnership (JDP) on a number of complex and sensitive projects…within live acute hospital environments. JDP consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of the requirements inherent in such projects. Their approach combined robust technical capability with a clear appreciation of the constraints associated with delivering refurbishment works within occupied healthcare settings.
Throughout these commissions, JDP undertook substantial analytical, feasibility and optioneering work, applying their technical expertise and strategic insight to support major ward and hospital remodelling and refurbishment programmes. Their work was well structured, evidence-based and clearly presented, enabling informed decision-making at both project and programme level.
JDP worked collaboratively with Trust teams, clinicians and external stakeholders, responding constructively to challenge and demonstrating flexibility where operational requirements evolved. Their outputs were consistently of a high quality and aligned with Trust objectives, design standards and affordability constraints.

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Imperial College Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Thanks for all your support with the process. I am so glad I went with you for the design and project management, it’s been complicated with the house being listed and the location etc. I have felt confident throughout the process, thanks to your service. I am very pleased with my much improved home and I know it would have been I very challenging and stressful process without your help.

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Rachel Mckenzie