St Nicholas Hospital, Bede & Alnwood

Collaborative Approach

Working closely with the Trust team, the brief centred on transforming existing spaces into modern, therapeutic environments that feel calm, familiar and safe, while supporting clinical care and operational efficiency. The refurbishment delivered two key facilities – a Section 136 mental health assessment suite and Newcastle Older People’s Services (NOPS) dementia care environment – each carefully designed around patient needs, dignity and wellbeing.

Within the dementia care setting, the environment was shaped to feel more like home than an institution. Colour palettes were chosen to reflect the generation of residents, supporting familiarity and recognition, while personalised memory boxes outside bedrooms help patients connect with their identity and surroundings. Layouts were designed around circular patient flow, allowing intuitive movement through spaces without dead ends, reducing anxiety and supporting independence. Calm, welcoming interiors and clear visual cues create a reassuring environment for patients, while also supporting staff in delivering compassionate care.

Facility Upgrades

Across both facilities, spatial planning prioritised safety, observation and comfort. Clinical and shared spaces were reconfigured to improve patient experience and operational flow, creating environments that feel welcoming rather than clinical. Alongside patient areas, staff and visitor environments were also improved to support wellbeing, day-to-day working and family connection.

The wider refurbishment included significant MEP upgrades to improve reliability, safety and building performance, alongside accessibility improvements and enhancements to arrival and circulation. A new community garden was introduced, providing patients with a quiet outdoor space to spend time, reconnect with routine and benefit from access to nature – an important part of therapeutic care.

The result is a modern, thoughtfully designed mental health facility that reflects the Trust’s values and mission, improving patient experience while creating safer, more supportive working environments for those delivering care.

Social Value & Strategic Alignment

Social value was embedded from the outset, with a bespoke strategy developed to align with the Trust’s objectives and NHS priorities. The approach focused on delivering measurable community, economic and environmental outcomes alongside the refurbishment, including collaboration with the NTW SHINE Fund to support initiatives benefiting patients, carers and the wider community.

• £5.3m social value delivered, achieving 74% SVROI against framework targets

• £4.2m local SME spend, significantly exceeding regional economic targets

• Local employment, apprenticeships and workforce development supported through project delivery

• 132 hours student work experience delivered, supporting 40+ T Level students

• Collaboration with the NTW SHINE Fund through fundraising and community initiatives

• Support for community wellbeing and Trust-linked programmes

• Sustainability embedded, targeting 100% waste diversion from landfill

• Outcomes monitored and reported in line with NHS social value priorities