Rotherham Community Hospital, Rotherham

Rotherham Community Hospital provides GP and walk-in services and also provides modern and accessible facilities for most of the primary care services that were based at Doncaster Gate Hospital.This valuable new health resource forms a well needed contribution to the local neighbourhood and was at the forefront of the Rotherham Renaissance programme.

Located on the old Bestobel site in central Rotherham, the new £9.8m community hospital comprises eight health care departments, a ‘Rothercare’ call centre and staff facilities for 200 staff (including welfare facilities) plus an independent pharmacy. The facilities are spread over three storeys and the clinical provision includes: Out Patients & Walk in centre; Diagnostic Suite; Minor Surgery; Podiatry & Physiotherapy; Ear care, Audiology & Speech Therapy; Sexual Health & Women’s Services; Dentistry and GP Outreach Practice totalling 5050m2.

The site is located very close to the heart of Rotherham town centre. Importantly the new facility has taken a semi industrial site and restored it as part of the town centre. Bailey House Council Offices, civic buildings and the retail centre are all in direct connection with this valuable new health resource which forms a well needed contribution to the local neighbourhood.

Date

2008

Client

St. Paul’s Developments

Value

£9.8m

The Challenge

The client required a building with clear, legible way-finding, good levels of light and ventilation, attractive ‘in between’ spaces and high quality ‘destination’ departments. They desired spaces that offer adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing working practices and technology as well as revitalisation of the local neighbourhood.

The Solution

The design concept provides users with an easy to use building, with clearly defined areas. Patient & staff flow are optimised for the smooth & efficient throughput of patients. The scheme was carefully designed for the site. Its scale is both compatible with its neighbours and with the humble pedestrian.

The Outcome

The building is patient focussed, modern in its outlook and provides the ability to deliver an integrated and extended range of services within a community setting. By clustering services together, patients have been enabled to access a wider range of services, including minor surgery & outreach programmes.