Work completes on renewed Guisborough Primary Care Hospital

Guisborough Primary Care Hospital occupied two neighbouring sites close to Guisborough town centre. The larger of the two sites contained an existing hospital building linked via a corridor at ground level to the Grade II Listed former Guisborough Union Workhouse of 1839, which housed the majority of the community hospital accommodation. The facilities across the two sites were not operating efficiently and provided outdated environments for the delivery of care to patients.

Following public consultation, redevelopment plans focused on the larger site, removing the link corridor and de-coupling the former workhouse, allowing the listed building and the smaller site to be adapted for alternative uses. This opened-up the larger site, promoting the remaining hospital building as a distinct entity, creating an opportunity to consolidate the required services in a high-quality environment close to patients’ homes. This is consistent with NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group’s Integrated Management and Proactive Care for the Vulnerable and Elderly programme (IMProVE).

In developing the plans for the new hospital, the design team worked closely with NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group; the operator of the building, NHS Property Services; and the service provider Trusts, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North Tees NHS Foundation Trust, and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. A robust engagement process and regular communication ensured the needs of all parties were incorporated into the final designs.

The building has been designed to accommodate facilities and services that support mental and physical health closer to home, reducing the need for admission to larger general hospitals. This includes radiology, dental services, outpatient services and physiotherapy, with a much-expanded gym to support a wide range of rehabilitation therapies. A staff rest area with large areas of glazing, provides a space for staff to take breaks with views to nature. Located at the front of the building it presents an active elevation to the street.

The stark and imposing appearance of the building in its existing state did little to create a welcoming environment for patients. The introduction of a new extended main entrance and canopy creates a more inviting and legible entry point clearly visible from the main access routes. To add visual animation to the flat appearance of the existing façade, new windows have been introduced with matching-coloured aluminium reveal detailing.

Complementary colour panels give the most prominent elevation from the street a new identity. The same panels are used along the canopy edge, and form the elevations of the entrance extension, allowing all elements to be visually connected, enhancing wayfinding. The building is situated within new landscaping and accessible parking that takes advantage of the newly reorganised site.