1. Why You Need a Hospital Planning Consultant

Hospital planning consultants bring specialized expertise in designing healthcare facilities that are compliant, efficient, scalable, and patient-centric. From feasibility studies to commissioning, they help hospitals avoid costly mistakes and optimize operational workflows.

2. Key Services to Expect

A comprehensive hospital planning consultant should offer:

• Feasibility studies and project reports (DPRs)

• Medical and architectural space planning

• Equipment planning and budgeting

• Regulatory & NABH/NABH-accreditation assistance

• Manpower and HR structuring

• IT infrastructure, HIS/EMR planning

3. Experience and Expertise

Choose agencies that:

• Have prior experience with multispecialty, single specialty, or day care hospitals

• Understand both greenfield and brownfield healthcare projects

• Have in-house experts in hospital design, clinical workflows, biomedical, and quality systems

• Are familiar with local building codes and healthcare standards (BIS, NBC, FGI, etc.)

4. Customization and Scalability

A good consultant will:

• Tailor solutions to your specialty (eye care, cardiac, maternity, etc.)

• Offer phased planning for future expansion

• Create modular and flexible designs

• Recommend scalable IT and equipment setups aligned with budget and patient volume

5. Cost Considerations

Typical consulting fee structures include:

• Project-based fees: ₹5–25 lakhs ($6,000–$30,000) depending on project size and scope

• Retainer models: For long-term planning and execution oversight

• Value-based costing: Based on bed strength, total project value, or area (₹50–₹150/sq. ft)
  Ensure clarity on deliverables like master plan, BOQs, equipment list, and tender support.

6. Client Support and Project Handover

The agency should:

• Provide a dedicated project manager and timeline-driven delivery

• Be available during construction, procurement, and pre-opening phases

• Assist with vendor selection, government approvals, and staff onboarding

• Conduct mock drills, SOP creation, and operational readiness training

• Provide post-handover performance monitoring (first 90 days)