Willmott Dixon has commenced a £30 million regeneration scheme at Barnes Hospital, set to transform the site into a modern NHS mental health facility and a new special educational needs (SEN) school. The redevelopment will see the creation of a dedicated mental health hub, providing accommodation for a range of community-based services. These services were temporarily relocated to the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust’s Livingston House in Teddington in 2023. Once Barnes Hospital reopens in 2027, the Trust’s expanded community services will operate across both sites, improving accessibility and continuity of care throughout the borough. In addition to the healthcare provision, the site will also be home to the London River Academy, a new SEN school offering 90 places for children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. The school will be operated by the Beckmead Trust, a specialist education provider. The Barnes Hospital project forms part of a wider strategy to modernise mental health services across southwest London. The programme began with the £150 million redevelopment of Springfield University Hospital in Wandsworth, completed in 2022/23. It will continue with the opening of the Richmond Royal Wellbeing Centre this summer, followed by the Barnes Hospital relaunch in 2027, and will conclude with the £110 million redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital in Kingston, scheduled for completion in 2028. Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the South of England, commented: “We are excited to have been chosen to deliver this vital project, procured via the Southern Construction Framework (SCF). It will create modern centres of excellence for mental health and education, with sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality spaces that will help shape a healthier future for people in Barnes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction has officially begun on a £30 million regeneration project at Barnes Hospital led by Willmott Dixon. The project includes the development of a new NHS mental health facility and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, following the successful completion of the nearby Chiswick Health Centre. It is being funded by South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust alongside LocatED, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Education. The redevelopment aims to deliver modern, sustainable facilities that serve both the healthcare and education sectors. The new NHS centre will house a range of community mental health services that were temporarily relocated to the Trust’s Livingston House site in Teddington in 2023. Upon reopening in 2027, the Barnes site will operate alongside Livingston House, improving service accessibility across the borough. The school component of the scheme, known as the London River Academy, will offer 90 places for children with social and emotional mental health (SEMH) needs. It will be operated by the Beckmead Trust and is designed to provide a supportive, purpose-built learning environment. The Barnes Hospital transformation follows extensive community consultation involving staff, patients, carers, and local residents. It also forms part of a wider strategic programme to modernise mental health infrastructure across South West London. That programme began with the £150 million redevelopment of Springfield University Hospital in Wandsworth, completed in 2023. It will continue with the opening of the Richmond Royal Wellbeing Centre later this summer, Barnes Hospital in 2027, and conclude with the £110 million redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital in Kingston, scheduled for completion in 2028. Alongside the health and education components, a residential development led by LS Estates is also planned for the remaining part of the Barnes site, contributing to the broader regeneration of the area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has released a new NHS Estate Optimisation Guide to help NHS leaders and estate managers navigate one of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare: making the most of the places and spaces that support patient care. As the NHS continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of communities, the ability to deliver care in the right environments is becoming just as critical as funding – and is something which the Government’s much anticipated NHS 10-year Health Plan is expected to touch on. From high street drop-in centres to digitally enabled diagnostic hubs, the future of healthcare delivery depends on transforming existing spaces and creating new ones that are flexible, sustainable, and fit for purpose. Simon Taylor, Director Estates Policy, Strategy & Capital Projects at NHSPS, explained: “Estate optimisation is now critical to meeting patient need and NHS reform. This guide provides NHS leaders with the right practical steps to unlock the full potential of their estate, using the expertise and knowledge of the property experts across NHSPS and the wider system.” The newly released guide developed by experts at NHSPS outlines a clear, flexible framework for: It also includes expert insights from across NHSPS teams and partners, with contributions from Jenny O’Donnell, Infrastructure, Capital, Estates and Sustainability Lead at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, and Vissy Plati, Senior Designer at Ryder Architecture. “Simply better understanding current space utilisation can often lead to transformative estate opportunities,” Simon added. “In some cases, buildings thought to be in constant use are only 40% utilised. In others, strategic lease negotiations or repurposing office space can unlock significant savings to fund future care delivery.” The NHS Estate Optimisation Guide is now available to NHS leaders and estate professionals, offering a timely and practical resource to support the ambitions of the forthcoming NHS 10-Year Health Plan. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction has officially commenced on the new Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). Led by long-term design partner BDP, the new centre is one of the most ambitious projects in GOSH’s history. The firm is overseeing architecture, landscape, engineering, and planning design for the facility, drawing on a relationship with the hospital that began in 2014. The start of construction follows four months of complex deconstruction works. Main contractor Sisk has now begun excavation and basement operations, kicking off the primary construction phase. Above-ground development will follow as work progresses on delivering a world-class centre for paediatric cancer care. BDP was appointed to design the CCC after winning a design competition in 2017. Since then, the practice has worked closely with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and its Charity to turn the vision into reality, ensuring the centre reflects the needs and insights of patients, families, clinicians, and staff. Once complete, the new CCC will offer a 20% increase in capacity and bring all cancer services under one roof. It will feature digitally advanced inpatient wards, new surgical theatres, intensive care facilities, a purpose-built hospital school, and a new main entrance for the hospital, designed to support integrated and seamless patient care. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clegg Construction has commenced work on a major new health facility at the University of Sheffield, marking the start of a £16 million development that will support world-leading research into neurodegenerative diseases. The project will see the expansion of the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), which plays a vital role in advancing research into conditions such as motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, dementia, and multiple sclerosis. Located on the corner of Glossop Road and Clarkehouse Road, the Faculty of Health Phase 1 scheme involves the demolition of existing buildings at the Barber House Annex and Central Garages site. In their place, a modern three-storey facility will be constructed, complete with new landscaping and external works. The building will be physically linked to the existing SITraN centre via a dedicated corridor, extending laboratory space and enhancing opportunities for collaboration between university researchers and clinicians at the neighbouring Royal Hallamshire Hospital. It will also include flexible teaching areas, office space, and workspaces for students, staff, and visiting academics. Designed to blend with the university’s wider campus, the development will create a new frontage on Glossop Road, with two storeys visible from the main road and a third at the rear, responding to the natural slope of the site. Craig Gibbons, contracts manager at Clegg Construction, commented: “This is our fourth contract with the University of Sheffield, and we’re delighted to have started on site. SITraN is renowned for its groundbreaking research, and this development will further support its critical work while strengthening links with the clinical teams at Royal Hallamshire Hospital.” The scheme has been designed by architect Bond Bryan, with Ridge providing structural engineering services. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Rt Hon Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East, has opened Nightingale House, the new name for the former Royal Hospital.  To celebrate the official opening, residents living at Nightingale House and partners involved in the transformation welcomed Rt Hon Pat McFadden for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.   The historic site, which had stood empty since its closure in 1997, has been revitalised as part of a wider area transformation made possible through the collaborative efforts of whg, City of Wolverhampton Council, Homes England, the West Midlands Combined Authority and developer Morro Partnerships.  Through careful restoration, the Grade II listed building has been transformed into 38 one- and two-bedroom apartments, available for affordable rent as part of a housing scheme for people over the age of 55.   The renovation maintains the building’s architectural heritage, including three stained glass windows installed in the chapel in 1967. The building also features new modern eco-friendly amenities such as air source heat pumps for heating to reduce its carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency.  Earlier in the day, former hospital staff also gathered for a reunion event to share their memories of working life at the Royal Hospital. In addition, a blue plaque  sponsored by the Royal Hospital Nurses League, was unveiled. Sir Stephen Moss, who has dedicated 57 years to the NHS, unveiled the plaque to celebrate the legacy and care of Wolverhampton NHS staff.   Gary Fulford, Group Chief Executive, at whg, said: “I want to thank Rt Hon Pat McFadden for marking this momentous occasion with us.  “The former Royal Hospital building has stood empty since 1997, however, its historical significance as a place for people, and a place of care, has been preserved through our innovative wellbeing scheme.   “This remarkable transformation has only been possible through the power of partnership, with Nightingale House setting the standard for what is possible in the regeneration of historic buildings. Now, the site offers a supportive environment where residents can live independently while enjoying communal spaces that foster a sense of community.  “It’s been a pleasure welcoming everyone to the official opening of Nightingale House and celebrating the thriving community that has been established here.”   Commenting on the opening of Nightingale House, Matt Moore, CEO at Morro Partnerships said: “This project has been about so much more than just a regeneration; it’s the start of a vibrant new community, contributing to the wider area and supporting the lives of local people, all of which is at the heart of Morro Partnerships.   “We are proud to have worked alongside whg, City of Wolverhampton Council, and Homes England to bring this vision to life, providing much-needed, high-quality homes for the over 55s in Wolverhampton.   “The excitement surrounding today’s grand launch, coupled with the touching reunion of former hospital colleagues, truly highlights the importance of this site to the city. We are grateful to Rt Hon Pat McFadden for his support in marking this significant step forward.”  City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “The former Royal Hospital is an iconic building in Wolverhampton and has played a huge part in the lives of so many of our citizens.    “whg and Morro Partnerships have made a remarkable job of restoring and converting it to much-needed housing and created a community for our over 55s residents.    “It is also in keeping with the wonderful transformation of the Royal Quarter as a whole over recent years where the council has worked tirelessly with partners to regenerate the area as a key gateway to the city centre, driving further investment and giving our residents and businesses opportunities to thrive.”  Owned and managed by whg, Nightingale House is its seventh wellbeing scheme, offering affordable rental homes for people aged 55 and over. The scheme has a dedicated wellbeing officer, meaning residents can maintain their independence and live in their own home, whilst knowing there is someone on hand if needed.  For more information about life at Nightingale House, please visit whg.uk.com/nightingale-house  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

NHS Property Services (NHSPS) is delighted to announce that construction is underway on the Northwood & Pinner Health Centre, a state-of-the-art facility set to open in the summer of 2026. This project represents a significant investment of £12 million in the Hillingdon area. A groundbreaking event held on Wednesday 7 May was attended by representatives from health, property and construction partners including Emily Curtis, Director of Capital and Infrastructure at the Department of Health and Social Care. The project is a refurbishment and extension of a locally listed building, transforming it into a modern 1,500 sqm health centre. Originally constructed in the 1920s and used as a cottage hospital during the war, the building had been vacant since the late 2000’s. The building still retains historical elements such as the founder’s plaque and memorial beam, which will be prominently displayed in the new scheme. The project also includes rationalising the estate, enabling important value release from the disposal of surplus land, with 100% of the disposal proceeds recycled into the construction of the new health centre. NHSPS alongside the NHS North West London and new occupiers have worked collaboratively for over five years to ensure the delivery of this important project for Hillingdon. The project was approved by the NHS North West London and DHSC via the NHS Business Case process with all proposed occupiers agreeing leases for the new building, working closely with the design team to ensure the building matches their healthcare delivery requirements.  The new health centre will offer a range of services including district nursing, ambulatory wound care, health visiting, school nursing, a diabetes clinic, bladder and bowel care, a GP surgery, diabetic eye screening, mental health services and talking therapies.  The facility will also feature three garden areas, cycle stores, staff showers, collaborative meeting spaces, EV charging stations, water efficient flow restrictors and new trees and planting to increase biodiversity. Additionally, air-source heat pumps, LED lighting and thermal efficient building fabric will be used to improve the building’s energy performance.    At this week’s groundbreaking event Adrian Powell, Director of Investment and Development Management for NHSPS, said: “Northwood and Pinner is a key hub that is used by thousands across the locality. We are breathing new life into the building, creating a state-of-the-art facility to serve its community and deliver excellent patient care.” Claire Eves, Service Director for Outer London Services, added: “Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWLFT) is proud to support the redevelopment of the Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital into a modern health centre. This project represents a significant investment in local healthcare infrastructure, aiming to enhance the delivery of both physical and mental health services to the community.” Joan Butfield, Chair, Carepoint Patients’ Participation Group said: “It is great to see work start on the new centre, it has been a long time in the planning. It will be wonderful for the doctors and patients to have a fit for purpose surgery. We cannot wait.” Mr Desraj Dahele, Chair, Acre and Acrefield Surgery, Patients’ Participation Group commented; “Wonderful news regarding the new Northwood Health Centre building opening next year. It will allow more services to be available for local patients, a better workplace for doctors and staff, plus improved facilities for all.” William Logan, Managing Director of Logan Construction SE Ltd, added: “We are excited to have been awarded, via the ProCure23 Framework, the Northwood & Pinner Health Centre project. We look forward to collaborating closely with our client, NHS Property Services, to successfully complete this important facility. Our commitment is to deliver high-quality work within the agreed timelines and budget, and we plan to engage with our partners at every stage of the process. We are confident that Logan Construction’s expertise and dedication to quality will enable us to deliver a state-of-the-art health centre. This new facility will not only provide essential services but also create a welcoming environment for both patients and healthcare professionals. As a Principal Supply Chain Partner (PSCP) within the ProCure 23 Framework, we are eager to continue strengthening our partnerships with NHS Trusts and look forward to achieving a successful outcome for NHS Property Services on this project.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Preparations are officially underway for the transformation of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, as RG Carter is appointed to deliver a new multi-storey car park ahead of the hospital’s planned rebuild. The £18 million scheme will see a 1,310-space car park constructed on the site of the former Inspire Centre, which was demolished in 2023. This critical infrastructure will serve as a key enabler for the much-anticipated replacement of the hospital, which is currently scheduled to begin construction in 2027–28. The new Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be built on the footprint of the existing main car park, necessitating the creation of alternative parking facilities to maintain patient and staff access during the redevelopment phase. RG Carter’s appointment as main contractor marks a significant milestone in these enabling works. This development follows the government’s recent confirmation of a funding envelope between £1 billion and £1.5 billion for the delivery of the new hospital. The existing building, which has long suffered from structural concerns due to its use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), has been deemed unfit for the future. Construction of the multi-storey car park is due to commence in early 2026, and it will play a vital role in ensuring operational continuity as the wider transformation of the site begins. Once complete, it will provide modern, efficient parking facilities and clear the way for the next chapter of healthcare provision in the region. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is working closely with delivery partners and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to services throughout the build process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals