The new Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland, Northern England, is a general acute healthcare facility with 98 beds; it also accommodates four operating rooms, an ambulatory care center, four radiology rooms, outpatient services, a pharmacy, a pathology department, therapy services, an education center, and a complete range of hospital support services. The project also includes a primary care center, which integrates local doctors from the community into the acute hospital. The total area of this replacement facility is approximately 160,000 square feet, including diagnostic and treatment departments that support two 27-bed medical wards, a 28-bed surgical ward, a 10-bed maternity unit, and a 6-bed CCU.

The new hospital meets all the requirements of the operational policies, space needs, and key adjacencies, to allow the staff to exceed clinical output targets. Its configuration facilitates improvements in clinical quality and encourages increased efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services. Most importantly, the total environment within the new facility allows for, and encourages, the provision of high-quality care and a positive healing environment for patients.

Blending tradition and innovation in architectural form, Hexham General Hospital was meticulously designed to incorporate the local vernacular style of this historical abbey town. The design gives the hospital harmony with its surroundings, as well as a new image. The campus also includes an integrated 17,000-square-foot educational and primary care center, integrating the delivery of acute and primary care.

Comprehensive Master Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, and Environmental Graphics Services for a multiphased, fast-tracked replacement hospital, education facility, and primary care center were provided under a design/build contract structure. The project includes three levels of new construction and accommodation for a service dock and surface parking.

Project category: New construction (completed May 2003)

Chief administrator: Jamie Forsey, MD, Clinical Director of Hospital Redevelopment, +44-1434-655-670

Firm: Jonathan Bailey Associates, (469) 227-3900

Design team: Jonathan D. Bailey, NCARB, NDICQ, AIA, President & CEO; G. Travis Leissner, AIA, Executive Vice-President (Jonathan Bailey Associates); Tony Velupilai, Bid Director (Catalyst Healthcare Management, Ltd.); Alan Mack, Operations Director (Bovis Lend Lease)

Photography: Paul Bock, Paul Bock Photography

Total building area (GSF): 160,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $234.38

Total cost (excluding land): $37,500,000