Latest designs unveiled for two new hospitals

Two new hospitals for Leeds came a step closer today with the unveiling of concept designs for the buildings.

The event took place on the site of Leeds General Infirmary, parts of which are being demolished to make way for the two hospitals – one for children and one for adults.

Interdisciplinary practice, BDP, has been appointed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) to lead the architectural design of its Hospitals of the Future programme, part of its long-term vision to transform facilities for patients and staff.

The new first design concepts take the hospital development to the next stage, but will still need detailed design development. The trust is planning to start construction in 2023.

BDP has proposed a hospital structure that is shaped like the contours of the Yorkshire fells and dales, with a large island garden and play deck at its centre.

The central island garden takes its cues from the Yorkshire landscape and ward-level terraced gardens will provide a connection to the outside world for patients.

Julian Hartley, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The building of our new hospitals is the most important development in Leeds city centre for a generation.

“And, in terms of hospital-based healthcare, it’s the most important development in the city centre since 1868, when Leeds General Infirmary was first built.

“It’s wonderful to see BDP has listened to the feedback we’ve given them and have come up with these concept designs that are thoroughly patient focused.

“These inspirational designs will see not only the creation of world class medical and research facilities, but also the creation of a landmark public building, of real architectural quality.”

For the first time in Leeds, the new Leeds Children’s Hospital (LCH) will bring all clinical services for children and young people under one roof.

It will enable LCH to expand and meet the demand for highly specialised services in areas including cancer treatment, neurology, liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation and congenital heart surgery.

A new Maternity Centre will incorporate a dedicated midwifery-led unit and co-locate all inpatient maternity services and neonatal services on one site.

The adults’ hospital will create a facility to enhance the clinical services currently provided, supporting patients with all aspects of their care.

A 24-bed extension to the critical care unit will provide extra capacity for treating patients – and a new ambulatory Imaging unit will help with diagnostics.

A diagnostic imaging department is expected to be at the heart of the hospital with rapid uninterrupted flows from outpatients as well as maintaining a separate and lower volume of inpatients from cardiac and nuclear physics.

Dr Phil Wood, chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Our challenging brief to designers was to create new hospitals that bring together the best clinical design solutions for staff and patients with the creation of a landmark public building of real architectural quality.

“The fantastic new concept design solution remains at a concept level and will be subject to on-going detailed design development through patient, family and staff engagement during the next 12-18 months as the final design detail of the new hospitals for Leeds are finalised.”

As part of the overall project, the old Leeds General Infirmary site could be redeveloped to form a key part of the city’s Innovation District and encourage increased research and innovation whilst bringing inward investment to the city.

Dame Linda Pollard, chair of the trust, said: “Digital technology and world-leading innovative techniques will be central to the services provided in the new hospitals whilst the old hospital estate will be redeveloped as part of the city’s Innovation District, bringing about direct and wider economic benefits of up to £11.2bn in net present value terms and more than 3,000 jobs.

“This redevelopment will also help us preserve some beautiful buildings with significant history.”

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Investment in infrastructure isn’t just an investment in bricks and mortar, it’s an investment in people and skills too, and it’s wonderful to see the dream of two new hospitals for Leeds progressing.

“Not only will the hospitals provide the people of the city with world class health care for the 21st century, but they will also unlock the Leeds Innovation District and help bring jobs, investment and prosperity in health innovation to both Leeds and the wider corridor across the Pennines.”

Andrew Smith, head of healthcare at BDP, added: “Following a year where our NHS workers have, quite rightly, become the pride of the nation, we have evolved our clinically-led designs into also thinking about the hospital as an exceptional workplace.

“That means the design will contribute to a more efficient, familiar and pleasant environment for all staff, making it a great place to work.”