Adapting space in neighbourhood health centres
LOCATION: NOTTINGHAM | PROJECT AREA: OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT | PROJECT STATUS: COMPLETED
Full utilisation is key to getting the maximum out of neighbourhood health centres. But sometimes thinking outside the box is necessary to provide the right facilities.
We managed remodelling works at two health centres in Nottingham to turn underused space into facilities that the community needs.
Stapleford Care Centre
Stapleford Care Centre is a health centre in Nottingham, which offers a range of primary and community care services such as GP appointments, diagnostic services, physiotherapy and a pharmacy.
The centre formerly had a cafe on the ground floor, but following the permanent closure of the cafe, the space was left vacant.
We project managed the remodelling of the space into an adaptable community suite, which can be used for a variety of purposes – from hosting community groups to public engagement sessions. These sessions don’t necessarily have to be health related – but they all encourage footfall into the health centre, and ensure it’s a resource of value to the local community.
The space has a large open plan suite with projection facilities, seating, kitchenette and storage, and can be used for everything from public consultations, to meetings of local elderly groups.
Clifton Cornerstone Health Centre
Clifton Cornerstone Health Centre was Nottingham’s first flagship Joint Service Centre, and provides a range of health, council and housing services. A true neighbourhood health centre, including a range of one-stop-shop services under one roof, which is open six days a week.
We remodelled the existing unused cafe space into new bespoke clinical space. This included three new consulting rooms, a dedicated waiting room, reception and ancillary areas. Rather than being dedicated to a specific clinical service, the rooms are adaptable enough to be used for a number of different purposes, from vaccination sessions to peripatetic clinical staff like physiotherapists, to overflow from other clinics held in the centre.
The result
The Government’s Ten Year Health Plan’s focus on neighbourhood health centres requires centres to be adaptable, at the heart of the community, and looking outside of the health sphere to bring in community and third sector organisations.
Stapleford Care Centre and Clifton Cornerstone Health Centre are great examples of health centres which can flex and change to meet the needs of the community, whilst still integrating healthcare into the fabric of places.
Throughout the programme of works CHP found Sewell Advisory to be professional and very responsive to requests.
Further commissions have followed at Park House and Belgrave Health Centre, the latter with Leicestershire ICB.
Improving diagnostic capability
Interested in health centre remodelling? Find out how we created more clinical space in Hull.
