Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed major interdisciplinary practice, BDP to lead the architectural design of its Hospitals of the Future programme, as part of its long-term vision to transform healthcare facilities for patients and staff in Leeds and the wider region.
BDP was named as the preferred bidder, following an international design competition process, for a new state-of-the-art adults’ hospital and a new home for Leeds Children’s Hospital – providing world-class facilities for children, maternity and ambulatory care at the current Leeds General Infirmary site.
BDP’s first design concepts propose a circular 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. Outdoor space and play areas were some of the facilities that children and young patients suggested in a design competition, held last year, which have inspired the architects with their latest concept. Any visit to a hospital can be a stressful time for patients and their families, and the proposed communal outdoor spaces will create a safe, calm and comforting area for everyone to enjoy.
The future-proofed plan uses BDP’s knowledge in designing clinical and patient pathflows, using digital design and modern methods of construction including significant integration of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) techniques. This will create an innovative and flexible hospital that meets the demands of modern clinical requirements and future medical developments.
The Hospitals of the Future project is part of the government’s commitment to build 40 hospitals by 2030, backed by an initial £3.7 billion.
Simon Worthington, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Director of Finance and Senior Responsible Officer for the Hospitals of the Future project, said:
“Our brief to designers was to create new hospitals that provide us with the best clinical design solutions, and all through this process we have involved those who know our hospitals best – our patients, clinicians and healthcare staff who work there every day – and we’ll be engaging with them again as we move towards finalising our proposals with the design team.”
“The designs are currently concept designs 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.”
Health Minister Ed Argar said:
“This appointment is an important step forward towards the delivery of a new hospital in Leeds – one of the centrepieces of the biggest hospital building programme in a generation.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how Leeds Teaching Hospitals make use of trailblazing design techniques and modern methods of construction to shape a facility that meets the precise needs of patients and staff, which aligns with our approach to building new hospitals.”
“As we build back better from this global pandemic, we are committed to giving the NHS what it needs to deliver exceptional care and treatment in the future. Our plans for 40 new hospitals across England by 2030 are a cornerstone of that ambition.”
Andrew Smith, head of healthcare at BDP, said:
“We are delighted to work with LTHT to bring this concept to life. By applying our experience in designing the best healthcare facilities around the globe we are delivering a healthy and thoughtful hospital design for Leeds that looks to the future of best practice and innovation.”
He 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.”
Dame Linda Pollard, Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“We’re very proud of the progress we have made with the plans for our new hospitals, which will be the most important development in Leeds city centre for a generation.”
“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 3,600 jobs.”
The Leeds Trust has also appointed WSP as its Civil and Structural Designer to work on the project along with Ove Arup as the Client Civil and Structural Technical Advisor. WSP has also been appointed as the Mechanical and Electrical Designer also providing specialist Net Zero/Sustainability and Digital Design Advice.
Mott MacDonald has been appointed as the Client Mechanical and Electrical Technical Adviser also providing Sustainability and Digital Advice, with Arcadis appointed as Cost Managers on the project. MJ Medical have been brought in as Medical Equipment Advisers.
Simon Kydd, Head of Healthcare at WSP, said:
“In the UK, WSP has committed to halve the carbon footprint of all designs and advice by 2030 and so will work closely with the Trust and project team to meet the NHS’s ambitious net zero targets. WSP is a proud investor in Leeds and we’re excited to be part of this major redevelopment project which will bring benefits to both the city and the local communities it will serve.”
Karel Bos, Project Principal for Mott MacDonald, said:
“We are thrilled to continue our work supporting the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as Client Technical Advisor (MEPH, Digital and Sustainability) for the Hospitals of the Future project. We will use our engineering expertise and knowledge to create a patient centred, low carbon, digitally led healthcare facility that delivers the best quality of care for the Leeds community.”
Derek Roberts, Northwest and Yorkshire Healthcare Leader for Arup, said:
“Having worked closely with the Trust over the last 10 years on projects ranging from the Hospital’s energy strategy to the Business Case for this fantastic new hospital, we are delighted to be appointed as the Civil and Structural Technical Advisors for this landmark scheme. We look forward to delivering this world-class facility for the people of Leeds.”
Chris Waine, Senior UK Account Director for Health at Arcadis, was delighted with their appointment. He said:
“The new hospital is a ‘game changer’ for the local community and the links to the Innovation District present an exciting wider opportunity for the city region to develop and progress, alongside other key partners. Our Arcadis team also look forward to embracing new innovative delivery approaches aligned to the Construction Playbook on such a significant major healthcare project.”
Dan Gibson, Technical Director at MJ Medical, said:
“We’re looking forward to working with The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and other stakeholders in developing a state-of-the-art hospital for the people of Leeds and surrounding area.”
The Trust hopes to build the new hospitals by 2026 and is working closely with the DHSC and NHS England and NHS Improvement’s joint central team to take a whole programme approach to the building of the new hospitals across the country. This will ensure we can share the experience gained and consolidate it into the wider programme for the benefit of less developed schemes, in areas such as standardisation, digital technology, sustainability and modern methods of construction.
By working in this collaborative way we will maximise the benefits and efficiencies, ensure delivery of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities for local staff and patients within all new hospitals by 2030, whilst also representing value for money for the taxpayer.