Episode 31 - Designing and modernising private healthcare practices with Mike Sandhu, SC Architecture
Confidence To Thrive - a podcast for ambitious healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs
<p><b>Designing and Modernising Private Healthcare Practices</b></p>
<p>In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity director Christopher Cloke Browne speaks with Mike Sandhu of SC Architecture, an RIBA chartered practice specialising in private healthcare practices and pharmacies, about how building and environment design affects modern patient needs and regulatory compliance. </p>
<p>They discuss how many owners inherit older practices and face constraints such as accessibility, level thresholds, maintenance costs, disruption and downtime when refurbishing or extending, versus the costs and catchment-area limits of relocating or building new. </p>
<p>Mike explains SC Architecture’s feasibility-led approach, including costing options such as extension, relocation, light-touch refurb or doing nothing, and supporting planning, building regulations and CQC-related design requirements. </p>
<p>They discuss practice flow, fire strategy, M&E considerations like ventilation, differences between GP, dental and other clinic layouts, and trends toward more attractive, tech-enabled and multidisciplinary “one-stop” practices, including pharmacies shifting to more consultation space.</p>
<p><b>Episode time stamps</b></p>
<ul>
<li>01:01 Introducing Mike Sandhu, SC Architecture</li>
<li>02:16 Inherited practices and upgrades</li>
<li>03:28 Old buildings and accessibility</li>
<li>04:47 Move, extend or do nothing?</li>
<li>05:55 Planning building regs and CQC</li>
<li>07:44 Designing patient and practice flow</li>
<li>09:01 Tech and building services</li>
<li>10:08 Layouts by specialty</li>
<li>11:53 Future proofing and details</li>
<li>13:58 The modern private practice look</li>
<li>15:30 Multidisciplinary clinics and pharmacy first approach</li>
<li>18:12 Recent projects and trends</li>
<li>19:42 Getting in touch with Mike</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Follow Mike:</b></p>
<p>Mike Sandhu - LinkedIn</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesandhu" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesandhu</a></p>
<p>SC Architecture - Website</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sc-architecture.co.uk" rel="nofollow">https://www.sc-architecture.co.uk</a></p>
<p><b>Who are Owlicity?</b></p>
<p>This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions. Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive. </p>
<p>Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: <a href="https://www.owlicity.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Owlicity.co.uk </a></p>
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