Behind every warm ward, running tap, working fire door and safe clinical space is a hardworking group of people whose names you might not hear often but whose impact is felt everywhere. This month, we spent time with some of the Estates Craftsmen to learn more about the people who keep our hospitals functioning around the clock. What we found was a team full of skill, humour, pride and genuine passion for what they do.
A typical day in Estates doesn’t really exist. The team begins each morning with their PPMs, also known as Planned Preventative Maintenance, before reactive work starts pouring in, anything from steam leaks and boiler problems to blocked toilets, broken fire doors or a window that won’t close. Each trade brings something different. On the mechanical and plumbing side, steam, heating and water systems take centre stage, while the joinery team tackles everything from doors to building repairs. And if you ever find yourself needing a key for absolutely anything, the craftsmen will quickly point you toward Gary proudly nicknamed the “Key Master” because he quite literally knows every lock across the hospital and can even cut replacements when needed.
Many of the team have long histories in the NHS, with careers stretching across multiple hospitals and decades of service. Others joined more recently, rising through apprenticeships or discovering the Estates world by chance. What they all share, though, is deep expertise and a pride in passing their knowledge on. As one of the team put it, when someone with decades of experience leaves, it isn’t just a person who walks out of the door, it's years of irreplaceable knowledge.
When asked what they enjoy most about the job, the answer came instantly: each other. The camaraderie is obvious from the moment you step into the workshop. There’s the kind of easy humour that only comes from working closely together, but beneath it sits strong trust and teamwork. The group spoke warmly about how they support one another, help new starters settle in, and step in without hesitation when things get busy. They describe their work as a balance between the banter they remember from site work and the professionalism required in a hospital, a mix that keeps morale high and the days meaningful.
But behind the laughs lies a huge amount of unseen responsibility. Much of the Estates work never reaches the wider organisation’s awareness. Pressure systems alone carry significant risk, requiring highly trained staff like Scott, who is an Authorised Person (AP) responsible for isolating and managing systems safely. There is also the constant demand of responding to urgent issues across both hospital sites and multiple community locations. Out-of-hours callouts are common, and it’s not unusual for someone to be called in at 2am, fix an issue that would otherwise disrupt patient care, and then still come in the next morning.
The team shared some projects they’re proud of, including progressing through challenging qualifications, taking on new supervisory roles, and responding to major issues under pressure including looking forward to new decarbonisation projects. Or simply hoping to reach a point where staffing levels are stable, and the service can run more smoothly after a busy few years.
Outside of work, everyone has their own ways of unwinding. Some head straight to the gym. Others prefer walking, DIY, or simply switching off at home. And in between the serious talk, the team couldn’t resist sharing a few fun facts including the revelation that one team member was once a disco dancing champion in the late 1980s, a detail they insisted be included.
When asked what they wished colleagues understood more about Estates, their message was heartfelt. They spoke openly about often feeling overlooked, despite the essential role they play in keeping the hospital safe and functioning. Much of their work happens in the background, quietly and without recognition, but without it, patient care simply wouldn’t be possible. As one of the supervisors explained, every time someone walks into a warm ward, turns on a light, uses a safe piece of equipment or enters a building that’s functioning as it should, it’s because the craftsmen have been working, often late into the night, to keep it that way.
The Estates Craftsmen are a team of problem solvers, early risers, night‑time responders and skilled tradespeople whose dedication keeps our hospitals going. They take pride in what they do, look after one another and show up every day ready to tackle whatever the buildings throw their way. Their work may not always be seen, but it is truly invaluable.
