Transforming an existing hospital space, the recently completed Newcastle Diabetes Centre creates a universally accessible environment, using colour and artwork to support a positive patient experience.
The new £3.2m Newcastle Hospitals centre combines consulting rooms, treatment rooms, open plan office space, and a variety of education rooms — from one-to-one discussions to large group training — to support patients living with diabetes. The centre was designed by Medical Architecture and delivered by Robertson Construction North East for The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Future-proofed facilities for treatment and education
Originally located at the city’s Campus for Ageing and Vitality, the centre faced a challenging period of rapid growth in its patient groups. Medical Architecture were commissioned to design a new and future-proofed space on Level 2 of the Freeman Hospital, part of Newcastle Hospitals, in a fully reconfigured and refurbished area of the building, offering easy access for patients. The design, which integrates Diabetes, Podiatry and Dietitian services, was informed by an extensive stakeholder engagement process with patient and staff groups from each department. The resulting design brings together healthcare design expertise, user experience and practical considerations, resulting in a sustainable facility that can adapt to the future needs of the service.
An interior enhanced by colour, light and artwork
The existing space was converted from administrative use to clinical use, ensuring that the accommodation complied with HBN and HTM guidance. Universal design principles underpin the scheme, ensuring the environment is suitable for a wide range of users. A dementia-friendly approach informed the selection of materials and finishes, with careful use of Light Reflectance Values (LRVs) to provide appropriate contrast between surfaces for patients with cognitive or visual impairments.
This is reinforced by a clear, multi-layered wayfinding strategy, incorporating intuitive signage and visual cues to support independent movement through the space. A considered interior design and artwork strategy brings each space to life with feature colours and iconic imagery inspired by local landmarks to aid recognition.
Hannah Dawood, Senior Architect at Medical Architecture, said:
“The Newcastle Diabetes Centre was designed in close collaboration with clinicians in each department, with patient care at its heart. Colour and curated artwork played a vital role in creating welcoming, uplifting environments, supporting the Trust’s new approach to interior design.”
Dr. Ahmad Abou-Saleh, Lead Consultant at Newcastle Diabetes Centre, part of Newcastle Hospitals, said:
“Our new diabetes centre situated in the Freeman Hospital enables us to work more closely with specialist teams across Newcastle Hospitals to provide more holistic wrap around, inclusive care for all of our patients.”
Neil Kennedy, Regional Managing Director at Robertson Construction North East, said:
“Through our close partnership with the Trust on its Capital Works Programme, we have delivered high-quality projects across its estate, including the new Diabetes Centre. Transforming office space into an exceptional clinical environment builds on our strong track record of delivering healthcare infrastructure that improves staff and patient experience across the region.”