Arup helps deliver country’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre

Arup has helped deliver the country’s first purpose-built National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) for NHS patients. Run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), the new facility will provide specialist rehabilitation care for people recovering from life changing injuries and illnesses.

Located near Loughborough, UK, the £105 million, 70 bed centre is part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme which aims to renew the NHS estate while improving patient safety and experience. Designed to support recovery and independence, the NRC brings together specialist care, research, innovation and education in one place.

Arup provided multidisciplinary engineering and planning services for the project and worked closely with NUH and other project partners to create a digitally-advanced facility with real-time location technology and patient-centred environment that balances clinical functionality, sustainability and value.

The NRC also helps set a new benchmark for sustainable healthcare design as one of the first NHS buildings designed to meet and operate under the NHS Net Zero Carbon Standard.

By applying passive design principles, incorporating natural ventilation and daylight, and integrating air source heat pumps and solar photo voltaic panels, the team created a highly energy efficient, all-electric facility. Modern methods of construction and digital design tools were also used throughout the project to reduce waste and improve delivery efficiency.

Neil Harrison, Project Director at Arup, said: “The National Rehabilitation Centre reflects Arup’s commitment to delivering better outcomes for people and the planet through integrated design as well as a shared ambition between the NHS, designers, engineers and contractors to rethink how rehabilitation care is delivered.

“Achieving operational carbon neutrality on a complex healthcare project required close collaboration across the project team and a focus on reducing energy demand at every opportunity. We hope the centre will help shape the next generation of sustainable healthcare buildings across the NHS.”

The centre is expected to treat around 750 patients each year once at full capacity and is set to become a national hub for rehabilitation research, education and innovation, helping shape the future of rehabilitation care across the UK.