NTW Solutions Property Team has led on the refurbishment of Benton House for clinical teams at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). The building in the centre of Newcastle will become a hub for clinical services in the area and has been fitted out to a high standard with modern ways of working in mind, creating a warm and welcoming workplace that people actively choose to work in.

The building will bring together services which were previously split between different sites which will help to improve collaboration between teams. As well as office space there are a range of clinical rooms as well. The building is highly accessible for both patients, staff and visitors, with multiple bus routes using the bus stop literally outside reception, as well as being close to a Metro station. There are also the most up to date cycle facilities provided on any CNTW site, with secure cycle storage space alongside showers and lockers.

The building is the first major development for CNTW which has been delivered by NTW Solutions post pandemic and has been designed to reflect new ways of working. The offices have shared desk spaces to reflect that people are not always working on site with increased home working, alongside people working at other community sites. This makes the most of the space available and other flexible workspaces are provided, such as confidential meeting pods, breakout spaces, and other areas designed to encourage collaborative working.

There has been extensive consultation with staff who will use the building and they have helped develop the layout and even the choice of fabrics and colours used. The building has been very well received by staff who have moved in with feedback about how calm and welcoming the space is now.

The quality of the building refurbishment and the range of spaces which allow people to work together is all part of NTW Solutions’ aim to support better care by giving clinical teams the quality spaces they need.