The new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds will become the first of its kind to offer specialist services for MND patients under one roof when it opens later this month.
Constructed by Yorkshire-based firm, I&G, part of the wider Sewell Group, the centre, which will be operated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, provides a calm and peaceful environment for patients and was designed in partnership with the hospital’s clinical staff, patients, their families, and the wider MND community.
Over the past 10 years, referrals to the Leeds MND service have doubled to 40 a year.
To continue to provide the best-quality service, the team needed access to facilities tailored to their patients’ specific needs.
The centre was made possible through fundraising by Leeds Hospitals Charity, which raised £6.8m to pay for the development.
Named after rugby league legend, Rob Burrow CBE, who campaigned for MND after being diagnosed with the condition in 2019, the new centre is a fitting tribute to his memory.
Mark Boothby, joint managing director of I&G, said: “We've built and refurbished many health facilities over recent years and they’re some of the most-rewarding projects our team gets to work on, because we can see the huge impact they have on the lives of patients and staff.
“The new Rob Burrow Centre for MND creates a sense of community and an environment that meets the needs of patients, families, and staff and we’re honoured to have played a part in bringing this to life in Rob’s memory and for the entire MND community.”
The new building is a flagship centre in the North of England, covering more than 1,000sq m, with a striking design that includes a light and spacious atrium, wheelchair-accessible parking, and newly-landscaped gardens.
The building was constructed using modern methods of construction, with structurally-insulated panels (SIPs) being manufactured offsite and erected in position, allowing a quicker, more-efficient, and more-sustainable process than a traditional build.
The scheme was procured by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust through the Procure Partnerships Framework via a two-stage process, which allowed fast and robust procurement and supported a tight programme to completion.
Natalie Palframan, key account manager for the North at Procure Partnerships Framework, said: “Early engagement and close collaboration between the trust, I&G, and the wider project team were essential to the project’s success by ensuring the programme could be delivered at pace.
“The result is a truly-special building that stands as a tribute to Rob Burrow’s legacy and will have a lasting impact on the lives of people living with MND, their families, and the clinical teams who support them every day.”