A huge programme of capital works has now completed at St Nicholas Hospital and Tracey Sopp, our Managing Director, visited the Capital Team just before the project wrapped up to see progress first-hand. The work brings together a range of teams and services that were previously based at the old Newcastle General Hospital (CAV) site which is being demolished. The Capital Team have used the opportunity not just to relocate services, but to support a wider clinical vision: bringing everything together to create a centre of excellence and a more joined-up, modern “hub” feel across wards, clinics, day hospital spaces and offices.
One of the biggest changes is how the spaces now connect. Rather than services feeling split across separate areas, the buildings have been carefully reconfigured so that wards, the day hospital, consultation rooms and staff bases feel integrated. Offices have a direct link to wards and the day hospital, helping teams stay close to the clinical areas. There are also new community treatment and consultation rooms, alongside practical staff facilities including hot-desk spaces and lockers. The aim throughout is simple: make it easier for staff to deliver care, and create an environment that feels coherent and calm for patients and visitors.
Tracey heard that on the older people’s wards in particular, the design choices are very clearly centred on people living with dementia and older adults who benefit from familiar, easy-to-navigate spaces. The wards include bright artwork and a clear walking route so patients can safely walk a full loop of the space. As you move around the ward, areas are colour coded to help people recognise where they are and remember their way. Bedroom doors have been designed in the style of a house front door to make the environment feel more homely and welcoming. Each room also has a visible memory box, helping patients connect with their own space and build reassurance through recognition.
Natural light is another major improvement. The original Victorian St Nicholas Hospital buildings bring in far more daylight than the previous environment where people had very limited views. In the new development many bedrooms and shared spaces look out onto the green spaces around the hospital. The team also found smart ways to reuse existing features. For example, the previous unit was medium secure and had observation seats outside bedrooms; these have been repurposed to become rest points, giving people places to pause as they walk around the ward.
The physical layout has been adapted to meet the needs of the people using the space. For example, some older patients need two staff members to support them while walking, so central corridor areas have been widened to allow staff to walk alongside them safely. Visitor rooms have also been positioned close to ward receptions, so visitors don’t have to travel far into the ward environment.
Tracey saw how scheme also includes new practical, thoughtful details that improve the feel of the space, while keeping infection prevention and control in mind. One example is the use of new products such as a plastic sink splashback which is designed to look like real tiles. It gives a more homely finish, but contains no grout, and instead uses a tile style patterned design instead.
Outdoor spaces have been treated as part of the care environment rather than an added extra. There is a courtyard area with raised beds for planting and gardening, and an outdoor walking track so people can do a full walking route outside as well. Even the furniture reflects joined-up working across teams as the outdoor furniture has been made by the Garpro woodwork team based at Northgate.
A lot of the hardest work is hidden from view. Converting a Victorian hospital building into a modern facility which feels purpose-built facility has involved substantial behind-the-scenes upgrades to replace heating and electrical systems as well as bringing the buildings up to date with all modern fire safety regulations.
Feedback on the new facilities has been very positive from everyone who has seen them so far, especially when compared with the environment staff and patients are currently based in. The praise has been universal for the scale and scope of the scheme, and for the attention to detail that runs through the design. During the visit, the Capital Team told Tracey about their pride in learning from every project and taking that learning into the next one, so each scheme builds on what came before.
This scheme builds on the work delivered at Roker and Mowbray in Sunderland, which was the first ever NHS facility to receive a Stirling Gold Award from the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre for dementia-friendly buildings. It is clear that the same focus on doing things well – and including learning each time – has shaped the work that has being delivered at St Nicholas Hospital.
