sponsored by HEALTH SECTOR NEWS
‘Revolutionising community services’ in Greater Manchester
The Gorton Hub, in Gorton, Greater Manchester – which brings together primary and community healthcare, pharmacy services, and key public services such as a library, job centre, and adult education services, has been officially opened. Designed by Arcadis, and the first of its kind in Greater Manchester, it is expected to serve as a model for future schemes seeking to integrate public services ‘seamlessly and efficiently’. Arcadis said: “This co-location and integration of services aims to provide a convenient, accessible one-stop destination. However, the Hub’s birth was driven equally by the recognition that these services are intricately linked to the social determinants of health. By providing streamlined, integrated services at the community’s heart, the Hub aims to improve early interventions and alleviate pressure on acute health and care settings.” Arcadis continued: “The purpose-built
accessible development of the Gorton Hub reflects Manchester City Council and stakeholders’ commitment to create an integrated community services
Designing for Everyone – a toolkit for primary care
The new Designing for Everyone toolkit has been developed to help GP practices and health centres improve their buildings and the physical environment for people with learning disabilities, autism, and cognitive impairment.
centre in an area of east Manchester facing significant deprivation. Through stakeholder engagement, the project achieved capital efficiency savings of 18%, and optimised spatial layout for shared multiple use. The Hub is expected to improve health outcomes, community resilience, wellbeing, and skills and learning for employment.” The internal layout encourages
communication and collaborative working among multiple service-providers, and facilitates flexible working. Located in Gorton District Centre, the ‘landmark building’ fronts the A57 Hyde Road, a major arterial route in and out of Manchester City Centre, and Garrett Way. Landscaped external spaces welcome visitors and guide them towards the two public entrances, ‘creating a desire line’ that encourages the local community to access the services within.
Kier to provide FM services to new Cardiff cancer hospital
Kier, as part of the ACORN consortium, has been appointed to deliver facilities management services for the new Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff upon the completion of its build in 2027. Commencing in April 2027 for a
25-year period, the services will include mechanical and electrical and building fabric maintenance, fire systems and reactive maintenance, energy management, drainage systems, digital management, contract management reporting, health and safety, and helpdesk services provision. The services will be delivered by Kier Places, ‘a Kier business which delivers workplace, residential, and building solutions in places where people live and work across the UK’. The Velindre Cancer Centre is part
of Velindre University NHS Trust’s Transforming Cancer Services in South East Wales Programme, procured under the Welsh Government Mutual Investment Model. It aims to deliver the most effective treatments, while
Jointly developed by the Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, Dimensions, and Assura plc, it is believed to be the first such integrated resource to focus specifically on design principles to support people living with dementia, those who are neurodiverse, or have conditions like anxiety.
The co-developers said: “There is growing evidence to indicate that appropriate design for people living with dementia can promote inclusion, independence, and quality of life, but until recently less attention has been given to design for people living with other neurodivergent and neurodegenerative conditions, an estimated 20% of the population. There has also been little research, and few practical tools available, to assess the appropriateness of the primary care environment. Recognising that a visit to a health centre can be a worrying time for patients and carers, Assura plc strives – as far as is practical – to ensure that its premises are both dementia- friendly ,and meet the needs of the increasingly diverse communities they serve.”
Designing for Everyone brings together current research and best practice in design for dementia and neurodiversity with reports from national charities, Dimensions, and The Patients Association.
also leading national and international education, research, and innovation, in cancer care. Paul Jones, Operations director for Kier Places, said: “The Velindre Cancer Centre is already a vital healthcare facility in Wales. To be part of the consortium developing a new state-of- the-art facility to extend these services to even more cancer patients, and with such a focus on innovation and environmental impact, is a real privilege, and we’re delighted to be on board.” The hospital, which targets BREEAM
‘Excellent’, is designed to be all-electric, supporting low energy demand and low operational carbon.
May 2024 Health Estate Journal 19
The tools can be used by practice managers, premises teams, and patient groups, to better understand how the design and layout of the building works for people with a range of needs. The toolkit is downloadable free as part of Dimensions’ training resources for general practice in its #mygpandme campaign. (
https://tinyurl.com/49maupxr)
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