Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has unveiled their latest concept designs for new hospital buildings that will replace the existing Leeds General Infirmary (LGI).
The Leeds General Infirmary that has stood since 1868, will be demolished to create space for two new separate hospitals, one for adults and one for children. The new hospitals are part of the New Hospitals programme, the government-led plan to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.
The trust is planning to start construction in 2023 and has now released, for the first time, the designs of the buildings.
BDP will lead the architectural side of the project, with a focus to be on creating green space as a central part of both hospitals, with a large island garden at the centre.
The new Leeds Children’s Hospital will bring all children’s and young people’s services together under one roof. The new hospital will allow specialised services to expand, such as bone marrow transplantation and congenital heart surgery.
A brand-new Maternity Centre will be built on the site and will incorporate a dedicated midwifery-led unit, and will give expectant mothers more choice in how they give birth. The new adult hospital will have 24 more beds than LGI, and a brand-new diagnostic imaging centre will be at the centre of the new hospital, that will streamline diagnostics and help patient flow.
Julian Hartley, Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The building of our two new hospitals is the most important development in Leeds city centre for a generation. And, in terms of hospital-based healthcare, it’s the most important development in the city centre since 1868, when Leeds General Infirmary was first built.
“It’s wonderful to see that BDP has listened to the feedback we’ve given them and have come up with these concept designs that are thoroughly patient focussed, and which place patient and staff wellbeing at the heart of our new hospitals. These concept designs give extensive access to daylight and greenery, and not only do they maximise wellness, but they also bring something of the dales into the city centre.
“These inspirational designs will see not only the creation of world class medical and research facilities but also the creation of a landmark public building, of real architectural quality, of which Leeds can truly be proud.”
Dr Phil Wood, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Our challenging brief to designers was to create new hospitals that bring together the best clinical design solutions for staff and patients with the creation of a landmark public building of real architectural quality.”
“All through this process we have involved those who know our hospitals best – our patients, clinicians and healthcare staff who work there every day – and we’ll be engaging with them again as we move towards our final design plan.”
“The fantastic new concept design solution remains at a concept level and will be subject to on-going detailed design development through patient, family and staff engagement during the next 12-18 months as the final design detail of the new hospitals for Leeds are finalised.”
The new designs and a video flythrough are available here
