To celebrate work beginning on the construction of a brand-new diagnostic centre at Yeovil District Hospital, pioneering construction firm Darwin Group invited key partners in the delivery of the facility to attend a groundbreaking ceremony. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT) chief executive Peter Lewis was joined at the ceremony by
A time capsule has been buried at the construction site of Manchester’s brand-new adult mental health inpatient unit, North View. North View is the £105.9 million state-of-the-art unit, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), that will replace the current Park House adult mental health inpatient unit on
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital,
Monkwearmouth Development (MDL), a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited (SRMCV) and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited (APDS), with funding from Railpen, have handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital, the new
Ashe Construction has been awarded £14m of contracts to transform Bedford’s North Wing hospital site. The two projects will create a one-stop shop for primary and secondary care to create better access to healthcare and diagnostics, without the need for patients to attend Bedford’s acute hospital site. The first project
A significant milestone in the construction of the first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) was cause for celebration this week for the project partners committed to making the facility a reality. IHP, a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, hosted the formal ‘Topping Out Ceremony’ at the
Newly-released drone footage, images and timelapse show progress of National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) due to open in 2025. Construction of the first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre – a 70-bed purpose-built facility near Loughborough – continues to progress, with the concrete frame of the building almost complete. The £105million NRC project
One of the West Midlands leading independent architects is celebrating a major healthcare first for its business. Johnson Design Partnership, which has recently increased its team to 10, has been named on the NHS Shared Business Services Framework for the region, scoring top marks in the Property lot for Consultancy
Corstorphine & Wright has submitted plans for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds (Yorkshire, UK) run by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The planning application follows extensive stakeholder engagement sessions to create a building that meets the vision of all those involved, including clinical
Construction of the University of Huddersfield’s new National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) has celebrated a key milestone with a topping out ceremony held at the Daphne Steele Building. This first building on the Southgate site, close to the main university campus, is named after the UK’s first black matron. Daphne
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
To celebrate work beginning on the construction of a brand-new diagnostic centre at Yeovil District Hospital, pioneering construction firm Darwin Group invited key partners in the delivery of the facility to attend a groundbreaking ceremony. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT) chief executive Peter Lewis was joined at the ceremony by clinicians at the trust, along with representatives from InHealth, which will provide radiology and endoscopy services, Prime plc, the trust’s strategic estates partner, and funders M&G Investment. The centre, which is expected to open in late 2024, will provide over 70,000 diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments a year. The modern state-of-the-art, stand-alone centre on the hospital site will benefit patients in Somerset and north west Dorset who will receive quicker diagnostic tests thanks to the additional capacity the centre will provide. Open seven days a week, it will provide radiology, endoscopy, cardiology and audiology diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments. Thanks to Darwin Group’s innovative offsite modular construction methods, the project will be delivered up to 60 per cent faster and with up to 90 per cent less waste than traditional building methods, making it one of the most efficient and sustainable options in the marketplace. Specialising in health and care property development, Prime collaborated closely with Darwin Group to design and develop a cutting-edge facility. The result will be a high-performing, sustainable, low-energy new build, meticulously designed to achieve net zero embodied carbon. Furthermore, it’s projected to yield an impressive biodiversity net gain of 267%. Their partnership working will continue during the construction phase of this innovative build which will be delivered at speed using modern methods of construction. The facility will take shape quickly with 73 modules being delivered and installed overnight over the course of eight days, transforming the estate at pace, whilst minimising disruption to the busy active hospital site. Mr Jonathan Ockrim, a consultant colorectal surgeon and Somerset FT’s clinical lead for the Yeovil Community Diagnostic Centre, said: “I’ve worked at the hospital for 21 years and have never seen such an incredible investment in new buildings and facilities at the hospital, which is giving us much more capacity to care for and treat our patients. “Within the new CDC we’ll have a new audiology unit, a cardio diagnostic centre, as well as an imaging suite so we can get quicker and better-quality CT and MRI scans for our patients. “In additional the centre will house a brand-new state-of-the-art endoscopy unit, which will help to relieve the pressure on our busy endoscopy unit in the main part of the hospital, so it can prioritise emergencies. We also expect waiting times for an endoscopy to be greatly reduced. “The centre will also have a number of additional clinic rooms, as well as a conference room at the top for various clinical meetings to take place. “Overall, it promises to help us to reduce delays in diagnostics and endoscopy, and result in a much-improved service. “We’re really excited to be breaking the ground this week and we’re very much looking forward to the new centre opening later this year and I think our local population will be excited too – it’s such great news!” Geoff Searle, Chief Executive Officer of InHealth, said: “We’re delighted to mark the official start of build works for the new Yeovil Diagnostic Centre. When ready, this will be one of five brand new CDCs in the south west, as part of InHealth’s partnership with NHS England in the south west and we’re proud to be working in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to provide key clinical services to the local population through this new centre. “Across our nationwide network of CDCs, we’ve seen the real difference and positive impact that centres like these can bring for patients, focussed on improving health outcomes, so it’s fantastic to be doing that here in Yeovil. “Our mission at InHealth is to make healthcare better and improve access to services like the ones that are going to be delivered here, as well as reduce the time people are waiting for a diagnosis and care, so it really will be a fantastic healthcare facility and something that InHealth is already very proud of and very much looking forward to opening.” Leighton Chumbley, Chief Executive at Prime, said: “Prime has been proud to work in partnership with Yeovil District Hospital since 2014 and more recently with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. “We have delivered a number of transformational projects including the multi-storey car park opposite the main entrance and keyworker housing at Goldcroft. “Patient and staff experience is at the forefront of the work we do. Yeovil Diagnostic Centre will not only enhance health outcomes in the region, but also enrich the local area by being a model of sustainable construction.” Darwin Group Healthcare Director Alan Davidson, who attended the breaking ground ceremony, said: “We’re proud to work for Prime as partners to design and construct the diagnostic centre at Yeovil Hospital for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. “The projects we deliver help to transform patient and staff experience and improve healthcare outcomes for tens of thousands of people every year, and this diagnostic centre will be no exception. “It’s always great to see work getting underway and to hear firsthand about the impact that the facility will have on the local community.” Kevin Vickers, Director at M&G’s long lease real estate team, says: We are delighted to support the NHS by funding this new diagnostic centre. By using private sector finance to fund public sector projects, it is proof that effective partnerships like this can help to stretch the public purse and enable further societal benefits. “In addition, the provision of patient capital for this project also benefits the millions of savers on whose behalf we invest, through the generation of sustainable long term returns for their pension funds. We look forward to seeing the centre come to life and the better health outcomes it will produce for people in the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The
A time capsule has been buried at the construction site of Manchester’s brand-new adult mental health inpatient unit, North View. North View is the £105.9 million state-of-the-art unit, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), that will replace the current Park House adult mental health inpatient unit on the North Manchester General Hospital site. The time capsule was created to preserve the history of Park House, and memories of the North Manchester area, before North View opens later this year. It contains contributions and memorabilia from Park House patients, staff, local schools and contractors, including: The time capsule was officially buried at a special ceremony on 07th May 2024 and was attended by: After the ceremony, attendees were given a site tour of the North View building site, to see progress of the construction and ask any questions about the exciting new unit. Momina, 10, from Abraham Moss Community School said: “I made a poster for the time capsule. I drew a book because I love reading books; it is my passion and my hobby. I also drew a doctor because I want to be a doctor when I grow up. “Burying the time capsule today has been very fun and interesting because we are going to be a part of history. Finding this time capsule in 100 years’ time will hopefully make people very happy. “I really enjoyed the tour around North View – it looks more like a mansion than a hospital!” Tony Warne, Chair at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “This really is a historic moment for North Manchester, as we preserve information and relics about and from our wonderful, diverse community. With everything from poems to artwork, photographs, videos and day-to-day items, our time capsule portrays a snapshot in time which captures the spirit of our people, mental health services, history and aspirations, for future generations to one day look back on. Who knows how different their lives may be.” Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England, said: “It was a real privilege to be part of this event. It’s important to celebrate these new developments, which will make such a difference for people needing inpatient mental health services across the country, and the creation of a time capsule is a really great way to do that. “It was impressive to see the progress on the North View site and the pace by which this project has been delivered to replace outdated and unsuitable dormitory accommodation with a new unit containing single en suite rooms in Manchester. “There’s been great collaboration between GMMH, the contractor, architects and service users, which has been absolutely critical and demonstrates the true partnership approach of the Procure programme – one I’m very proud to be part of.” Gary Bowker, Regional Managing Director at VINCI Building said: “It’s been wonderful to see all the brilliant contributions to the time capsule event, meet members of the community and tell them all about the exciting work we are doing at North View. “Social value is a huge part of what we do. As part of this, we have set up a community skills centre to support local 16-24 year olds through training and accredited qualifications. The aim of the centre is to support those furthest from the labour market into employment and help close the future construction skills gap for North Manchester. So far we have provided 7,200 training hours and 965 hours of work experience. Everyone who takes part also has the opportunity to move into paid employment, and we have already seen a number of learners progress to this.” Work on North View, a 150-bedroom specialist mental health inpatient unit, started in August 2022 with the new unit anticipated to be built and operational by 2024. The unit will help improve the region’s mental health services and make sure patients can access the care they need in an environment designed to enhance and aid therapeutic recovery. This forms part of the government’s commitment to deliver over 70 major hospital upgrades, helping improve patient care and ultimately save more lives. Once completed, the upgrade will see improvements to patient experience, with spacious single bedrooms, each with a private en-suite shower room, as well as a variety of indoor activity areas, meeting rooms for family visiting, multiple gardens, spaces for therapeutic artwork and a café. It will house a purpose-built Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), an older adults ward, seven adult acute wards, and a treatment suite. North View will be the first all-electric mental health unit in the country, which supports the NHS goal of becoming net zero; and will use energy efficient heat pump technology to provide heating, cooling and the generation of hot water. The building will also incorporate thermally efficient materials throughout, and solar panels to self-generate electricity. This new development is part of an exciting vision for North Manchester General Hospital to improve health and wellbeing for local people over the next 10 to 15 years. GMMH is working with its Principal Supply Chain Partner, Integrated Health Projects (the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine) to deliver the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital, the new modern fit for purpose building provides a welcoming, level and accessible front entrance to the main outpatient facilities. In addition to the new entrance and reception area, the new accommodation includes meeting rooms, flexible open-plan workspaces and breakout areas, and consultants’ offices on upper floors along with areas for their support teams to work in. The new building has created the perfect office environment for employees at the site and encourages collaborative working and support; all of which service users should benefit from. The building also houses a Changing Places facility, and the new ‘Café Bede’ community café is open to the general public, visitors, staff and service users across the Hospital. The new café includes areas for inside and outside dining and is home to a time capsule that was placed in the ground during the construction works; telling the story of the build, the history of the site and the previous building for people to read in years to come. Sir Robert McAlpine completed the construction of the 3,287 sq. m, three-storey building for MDL over 19 months with the facility achieving a Design stage BREEAM Excellent standard. In addition to a replacement tree lined staff car park, the development delivers level access and a beautifully landscaped piazza area including seating and extensive planting, along with a memorial garden. The external works have transformed the previous parking area that fronts onto Newcastle Road and creates better connectivity within the estate for hospital users, staff and visitors. MDL worked with NTW Solutions Limited, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide premises that will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust. Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England. Monkwearmouth Development Ltd is a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited. It was appointed to this work through SRMCV’s place on the Pagabo Developer Led Framework, a nationwide procurement framework available for public sector organisations that focuses on delivering social value for each development. David Peck from Monkwearmouth Development LTD, said, “We could not be more delighted with the outcome, that has been a true collaboration between all the parties involved, who have created a building that is streets ahead of the one it replaced and that will make a significant difference to patients that rely on it for their care and the people that use it as their place of work.” David Hosken, Project Director at SRMCV, said, “We are immensely proud of delivering a unique facility using an innovative development solution, helping NTW Solutions Limited renew their estate with a quality building designed for modern ways of working. This fantastic project allows us to continue to build on our successes working alongside NHS Trusts to deliver developments with positive outcomes for the people who will use them.” Richard Wilks from Argon Property Development Solutions Ltd, said, “It has been a pleasure working with NTW Solutions, the Trust and the team on the ground who made this happen. Knowing that what we have delivered is already making such a positive difference to the staff, clinicians and service users is testament to everyone’s efforts to make this happen. We are so pleased to have been able to play our part in improving mental health services and the positive impact this development will have across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Monkwearmouth Development (MDL), a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited (SRMCV) and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited (APDS), with funding from Railpen, have handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital, the new modern fit-for-purpose building provides a welcoming, level and accessible front entrance to the main outpatient facilities. In addition to the new entrance and reception area, the new accommodation includes meeting rooms, flexible open-plan workspaces and breakout areas, and consultants’ offices on upper floors along with areas for their support teams to work in. The new building has created the perfect office environment for employees at the site and encourages collaborative working and support; all of which service users should benefit from. The building also houses a Changing Places facility, and the new ‘Café Bede’ community café is open to the general public, visitors, staff and service users across the Hospital. The new café includes areas for inside and outside dining and is home to a time capsule placed in the ground during the construction works; telling the story of the build, the history of the site and the previous building for people to read in years to come. Sir Robert McAlpine completed the construction of the 3,287 sq. m, three-storey building for MDL over 19 months with the facility achieving a Design stage BREEAM Excellent standard. In addition to a replacement tree-lined staff car park, the development delivers level access and a beautifully landscaped piazza area including seating and extensive planting, along with a memorial garden. The external works have transformed the previous parking area that fronts onto Newcastle Road and create better connectivity within the estate for hospital users, staff and visitors. MDL worked with NTW Solutions Limited, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide premises that will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust. Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England. Monkwearmouth Development Ltd is a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited. It was appointed to this work through SRMCV’s place on the Pagabo Developer Led Framework, a nationwide procurement framework available for public sector organisations that focuses on delivering social value for each development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ashe Construction has been awarded £14m of contracts to transform Bedford’s North Wing hospital site. The two projects will create a one-stop shop for primary and secondary care to create better access to healthcare and diagnostics, without the need for patients to attend Bedford’s acute hospital site. The first project for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is valued at £11.8m, and has been procured through the Pagabo Major Works framework. It will transform the existing Gilbert Hitchcock House (GHH) in Kimbolton Road, to provide diagnostic services such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, x-ray and cardiology services for increased demand in the area. Around 400-600 appointments currently take place in the building each day so the project will be delivered in two phases to ensure existing services can be maintained throughout the works. David Carter, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals said: “We welcome this major investment at Bedfordshire Hospitals which will bring crucial tests closer to home and help us improve outcomes for patients with serious conditions, by diagnosing health conditions earlier, faster and more accurately. “The new facilities will allow patients to access planned diagnostic care in a more convenient location without the need to attend our hospital sites, taking some pressure off our acute hospitals and allowing us to focus resources on more complex cases and urgent and emergency care.” Ashe will have a team of between 45 and 50 working on the site for the year-long project, with vehicle movements carefully planned and co-ordinated to maintain safety at all times. A new substation and backup generator will provide failsafe power and GHH will benefit from improved energy efficiency with ground and air source heat pumps installed. Ian Robbins, managing director at Ashe said: “We are very experienced at working in live healthcare settings so understand the needs of service users, and healthcare providers, and how to minimise the impact of our works during projects like these. We are really looking forward to delivering these improved services, taking the pressure off the main South Wing Hospital, and increasing much-needed primary and secondary healthcare capacity for patients in North Bedfordshire.” The existing gym at GHH will be converted into consulting rooms, MRI and CT scanners. phlebotomy, retinal screening and therapy services will also be accommodated there. Adjacent to the project at GHH, Ashe will work on a £3m refurbishment project at Bedford Health Village for Assemble Fund Co. Ltd to develop an Enhanced Service Centre (ESC) to provide primary healthcare services in two phases. It will bring together a number of GP practices and community services to the health village, giving patients easy access to potentially life-saving tests for a range of conditions, quickly and easily at neighbouring GHH. The project consists of full refurbishment works over three floors of the building, with phase one due for completion in July and phase two due to complete in October. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £24m of national funding to enhance facilities on the site. Ashe has undertaken four projects for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in recent years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A significant milestone in the construction of the first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) was cause for celebration this week for the project partners committed to making the facility a reality. IHP, a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, hosted the formal ‘Topping Out Ceremony’ at the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough yesterday afternoon. The event began with a piper leading guests onto the roof of the brand-new three-storey NRC, before key individuals were invited to cement their involvement in the programme by signing their names in concrete. Topping out is a common tradition within the construction sector, which marks a building reaching its highest level. For the NRC, this also means the completion of the building’s frame, symbolising another important milestone in the journey of this pioneering rehabilitation centre. The £105million NRC programme is building a 70-bed, state-of-the-art and highly energy efficient new facility, run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme. Research, innovation and training will be led by academic partners Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham. The NRC is due to open in 2025 and aims to transform clinical treatment for patients in the East Midlands, and set a new standard for research and innovation, and education and training in rehabilitation for the whole of the UK. The celebration was attended by key stakeholders including Sir Andrew McAlpine – partner at Sir Robert McAlpine on behalf of IHP, the Black Stork Charity, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, located on the same estate. Following the formalities, guests from the wide range of organisations enjoyed refreshments – courtesy of IHP – in the spring sunshine. Miriam Duffy, NRC Director, said: “We began this journey almost eight years ago in 2016, and so today’s milestone is testament to the teamwork and perseverance that have brought us to this point, which is another step towards opening our doors to patients in need of rehabilitation. “The NRC will not only serve as a centre rehabilitation excellence, but also as a symbol of hope for countless individuals and families across the country. We look forward to welcoming patients next year so we can help them start their own journey towards a better future with as much independence as possible.” Nick Carver, Chairman of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I continue to be proud that NUH has been chosen to develop and run the UK’s first dedicated NHS rehabilitation centre, and it’s inspiring to see it taking shape here in the beautiful countryside. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in this project to date – without whom we wouldn’t be able to mark this milestone. This celebration is really the culmination of months of hard work, dedication and collaboration of a huge range of partners and organisations.” General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, DNRC Programme Director, said: “The DNRC Programme has always been about improving the way we do clinical rehabilitation in this country. It is about ‘repairing’ more people after serious injury or illness, about creating better outcomes and, where possible, returning people to life and work. “From the outset in 2010, this is what the late 6th Duke of Westminster, with the ongoing support of the Grosvenor family, set out to achieve. The NRC, as the national hub, is the first vital step on the national rehabilitation journey.” Mark Bessey, Sector Director, IHP, said: “This topping out ceremony provides an opportunity to celebrate the exemplary collaboration and the technical excellence of the project team. “IHP is proud to be working with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust on delivering this flagship facility for the New Hospital Programme. The NRC sets new standards in terms of healthcare innovation and sustainability, providing world class rehabilitation for patients and outstanding facilities for ongoing research and development.” National property and construction consultancy EDGE is providing project management and NEC supervision services for the delivery of the NRC scheme, with key project team members joining the event to mark the occasion. Joanne Hardwicke, Project Manager and Associate Director at EDGE, said: “We’re really pleased to see such an important milestone being reached on the NRC scheme this week, and it was excellent to come together with our delivery partners to celebrate the progress being made on site. “EDGE is delighted to play its part in bringing together patient care, research, training and education under one roof through this high-quality bespoke treatment facility to positively contribute to patient wellbeing.” Pip Logan, Professor of Rehabilitation Research and Occupational Therapist at the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, said: “The University of Nottingham’s partnership with the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) represents an essential part of our commitment to uplifting – through our world-leading experience in rehabilitation research and education – the health of the people in our region and across the UK. “It’s a pleasure to celebrate this great milestone in construction of the NRC and we look forward to utilising this fantastic new integrated facility. “Embedding our training courses in rehabilitation, alongside our research in robotics, physiology, mental health, rehab technology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, rehab medicine and rehab nursing, with patients, families, clinical professionals, and industry is vital for our institution and for developing world-class rehabilitation patient services.” Professor Mark Lewis, Loughborough University’s NRC lead and Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “It is fantastic to see the progress being made on the construction of the National Rehabilitation Centre. “Loughborough University is proud to be a core partner for this state-of-the-art facility. We look forward to using our expert knowledge in research and innovation to help transform treatment and outcomes for patients, and to developing education and training programmes in rehabilitation that are truly world leading.” Recently, a timelapse of the first six months of the build and drone footage were released to give the public an insight into the ongoing development of the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The
Newly-released drone footage, images and timelapse show progress of National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) due to open in 2025. Construction of the first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre – a 70-bed purpose-built facility near Loughborough – continues to progress, with the concrete frame of the building almost complete. The £105million NRC project aims to transform rehabilitation care, research, and training in the UK, and is due to open to patients next year. This specialist facility combines NHS care with research and innovation from our two academic partners – the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University – and is part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme. The Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough, already home to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre which opened in 2018, was carefully selected as the site for the NRC to bring together these two centres of excellence and drive rehabilitation standards both nationally and internationally. The construction is being carried out by IHP, a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine. Ryan McCormack, Project Director for the Construction for the NRC programme, explained that an impressive amount of progress had been made in first six months of the build. He said: “A huge amount of work over recent years has gone into the design, development and construction of the NRC, and the difference between where we were in September when we had just started the build, and where we are today is exciting. Our vision of the NRC is really taking shape. “The build hasn’t been without its challenges – it’s always difficult trying to continue construction throughout the winter months. “Inclement weather has impacted work due to high winds, excessive rain, and freezing temperatures, resulting in the rescheduling of concrete pours and preventing the use of cranes in these conditions, both of which are vital in the progress of construction of the main NRC frame. “However, IHP continued to adapt their plans during the poor weather, and I’m pleased that we are on track to complete construction in Spring 2025.” Drone footage shows the five main pavilions of the ground floor of the NRC – Facilities Management, the café and staff area, the innovation and education pavilion, patient zone and research pavilion, and the main gym and therapy space. The latest footage also shows the progress of the first and second floors which are nearing completion – these will house the south-facing patient bedrooms overlooking the Leicestershire countryside, as well as some treatment spaces. In addition, the onsite energy centre frame is almost complete and will be the first part of the NRC design to be built. The design of the NRC uses modern methods of construction and will be highly energy efficient, with plans for the building to be carbon neutral to support the NHS ambition to be Carbon Net Zero by 2045. Work continues to integrate the Smart Hospital design to make the NRC as digitally advanced as possible, with the capability to incorporate additional cutting-edge technology in the future. Find out more about the construction of the NRC on our NRC website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the West Midlands leading independent architects is celebrating a major healthcare first for its business. Johnson Design Partnership, which has recently increased its team to 10, has been named on the NHS Shared Business Services Framework for the region, scoring top marks in the Property lot for Consultancy and Advisory Services for Health. This means the Bridgnorth-based practice will now be able to directly tender for more than £250m worth of contracts, building on an already impressive medical CV that currently accounts for more than £10m of live design and build projects. These include a Physio Hub for Frimley Park Hospital and Farnham Hospital, a new Urgent Treatment Centre and Emergency Department for New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and reconfiguration and expansion of Car Park A at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Vic Johnson, who founded Johnson Design Partnership in 2001, commented: “We are so pleased to be named in the SBS Framework for the West Midlands, giving us the perfect opportunity to bring our design flair to healthcare projects on our doorstep. “The rigorous assessment process scores organisations on capability, sustainability, track record and ability to deliver projects on time and competitively, driving savings across the NHS.” He continued: “Not only did we pass all the criteria, we top scored in the Property lot, beating some of the biggest organisations in our field in the process. “What it means for our business is that we are now approved and that healthcare institutions in the Midlands can use us for design and consultancy work without having to go out to tender. This could potentially deliver double the amount of work we do in this field over the next two years.” Johnson Design Partnership has built a growing relationship in the healthcare sector, now accounting for more than half of all projects it currently takes on. Major hospitals, specialist surgical settings, doctor’s surgeries and dental practices have all benefited from the JDP design flair that aims to bring spaces to life, whilst also meeting the demanding infection and operational requirements expected of it. The firm’s agility has also started to pay dividends with the NHS looking for quicker response times. Matt Spinks, Director, continued: “There are lots of factors to consider when working in a medical environment, but we relish that challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to push the boundaries of conventional thinking by bringing new design ideas and materials into play. “We aim to be creative with the spaces we are given responsibility for, aiming to bring the ‘inside in’ as much as we can through the use of different landscapes, new visuals, more lighting, different colours and creative seating.” He concluded: “There’s no point trying to hide behind the challenges. Be bold and be brave, giving medical staff, patients, and their families a kinder and more welcoming environment.” Johnson Design Partnership offers a complete project management service from feasibility work and planning to detailed design, project monitoring and contract administration. It has recently invested in the latest 3D design software and management systems, as well as embarking on a new website and digital media campaign to showcase its vast array of successful projects and the design solutions it offers. For further information, please visit www.johnsonltd.co.uk or follow the company on its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Corstorphine & Wright has submitted plans for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds (Yorkshire, UK) run by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The planning application follows extensive stakeholder engagement sessions to create a building that meets the vision of all those involved, including clinical staff, patients, and the wider MND community, as well as the Burrow family. The centre has been funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity, through its Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease appeal which has now raised over £5.3 million of its £6.8 million target. It will be a hub of innovation, education and excellence in the treatment for MND for the region, bringing together holistic patient-centred care in a purpose-built environment. The brand-new centre will see all MND services housed under one roof for the first time, in an accessible location conscious of the needs of those who visit. Supporting all aspects of the patient’s journey, the centre will create comfortable and peaceful surroundings for patients and their families, including spaces to reflect after sensitive conversations as well as places to engage and create positive moments. The proposed building is arranged in three joined forms – an East and West Wing which house the primary clinical spaces, connected via a central atrium. This central space has been designed as a community focussed area with a mix of accommodation from reading and quiet spaces, as well as activity and dining areas. It will be a place for family members to use and will enable staff to observe patients in a more informal setting. The first floor is designated as a staff area with a dedicated wellbeing space to provide staff working in the building with space away from the clinical areas – an important consideration when providing care to patients with such a challenging condition. Externally, the building has presence, but still fulfills the requirements for a centre that feels like home. It takes references from the local vernacular in the form of red brick tiles and gabled roofs, providing texture to clean architectural forms. Internally, natural materials will blend throughout the spaces, adding further texture and helping to support the wellbeing of patients and staff using the building. The new centre will make the most of the existing landscape features including mature trees and will provide landscaped gardens with access routes through zones with a mixture of textural planting which patients can engage with. It will also provide spaces for other therapy activities to take place as well as a memorial wall for private moments with projecting roof forms acting as a transitional zone for those entering and exiting the building. Targeting a sustainability rating of BREEAM “Excellent” the centre will also be built with a vision for the future, able to adapt to new innovations and treatments for MND patients as they emerge. Architect and Associate Director at Corstorphine & Wright, Toby Ingle, said: “As well as being adaptable for the future, one of the main visions of the new MND centre is to create a space for the MND community to come together to support one another, and this will remain at the heart of what it does. Engaging with what the community wants the new centre to be has fundamentally informed how we have designed the new building, from its location on the site and the materials we will build it from, to the furniture that we will specify and the colours and textures we will weave throughout the building and landscape. The Corstorphine & Wright team is honoured to be able to deliver this building for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds Hospitals Charity and for the MND community, and the submission of the planning application marks a positive and exciting step forward in seeing it come to fruition.” Craige Richardson, Director for Estates and Facilities, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said:“Following extensive stakeholder engagement sessions, we are very pleased that the planning application for the new Motor Neurone Disease centre has been submitted to Leeds City Council. We hope our vision for this exemplary facility will be supported, having already received so much community backing. Once we move past this point, the landscape really starts to take shape, and we anticipate a rapid succession of activity over the next few months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of the University of Huddersfield’s new National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) has celebrated a key milestone with a topping out ceremony held at the Daphne Steele Building. This first building on the Southgate site, close to the main university campus, is named after the UK’s first black matron. Daphne Steele emigrated to the UK from Guyana in the 1940s and the ceremony was attended by her son, Robert Steele, who unveiled a plaque watched by members of the Steele family. The building named in Daphne’s honour is the first of the exciting project that will help to improve health outcomes and lead innovation in healthcare for the North of England. It will bring together public-facing facilities including award-winning student-led clinics, and be a focus for entrepreneurial academic activity, serving the regional and wider health economy in strong public-private partnerships. Specialist clinical teaching facilities will provide unparalleled support for workforce development. The ceremony was attended by University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan CBE and guests included James Wimpenny, Executive Director of construction partners BAM Construction, Anthony Langen, Managing Director of architects AHR and Russell Green, Project Manager of construction consultants Gleeds. Completion of the Daphne Steele Building, which also received a grant of £5.8m in capital funding from the Office For Students, is expected in September 2024. “The scale of the thing is massive and everything I have heard about the innovative facilities plus the benefits to students and the wider community are fantastic,” declared Robert Steele. “What would Daphne have made of all this? I think she would have been stunned, blown away and surprised that this is part of her legacy.” “We were truly honoured when we were allowed to name this new building after Daphne, so I was absolutely delighted that Robert, along with members of her family and friends, joined us for the topping out ceremony,” said Professor Cryan. “Daphne’s ethos of care and compassion allied to expertise is something that we hope everyone who studies and works in this facility will take with them. We are relishing the prospect of this building being fully operational later this year.” James Wimpenny, Executive Director – Construction, at BAM, said: “This milestone marks not only the highest point of the build but also the culmination of the collaborative efforts of the client, design, and construction teams. “At BAM we are passionate about building inspiring spaces that empower learning and enrich the University experience, and that is exactly what we are delivering here at the University’s new National Health Innovation Campus.” Plans for more construction on the site adjacent to the Daphne Steele Building are well under way, with a reserved planning application for the second NHIC building having been submitted late in 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
