Northgate Hospital Community Diagnostic Centre

The project, which was delivered through the Pagabo framework, is located within the former Cranbrook Centre, situated on the grounds of the existing Northgate Hospital.

Historically, the Cranbrook Centre had fulfilled various roles under the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust. However, the building’s internal configuration no longer aligned with modern clinical standards, particularly regarding circulation and emergency egress. This highlighted the need for a comprehensive refurbishment and spatial reconfiguration to support contemporary healthcare delivery.

Thanks to its strong potential for adaptive reuse, along with practical accessibility and seamless integration into the wider hospital estate, the Cranbrook Centre was identified as the most suitable location.

As part of the initial scope of works, an existing extension on the west side of the building was demolished to facilitate the construction of a new CT scanner suite.

The project commenced within a live hospital environment, an approach not without its challenges. The site included active GP services and mental health facilities, requiring meticulous planning to ensure both safety and continuity of care. Robust site security protocols such as physical barriers, controlled access points, and regular monitoring, were implemented to prevent unauthorised access, particularly by vulnerable patients.

Further complicating the project, initial design assumptions indicated that the internal walls were non-structural. However, it was later discovered that many of these walls were, in fact, load bearing. This unexpected finding necessitated significant structural interventions, including the installation of steelwork to replicate the load-bearing function of the removed walls. As a result, an extensive temporary works programme was needed, involving complex propping throughout the affected areas—all while construction continued within a live healthcare environment.

Originally intended as a single-phase handover, the project evolved into a phased delivery approach due to complexities arising from the temporary works programme and a revised drainage strategy. The delivery strategy was adapted, enabling early completion and handover of the internal works, including the newly constructed CT scanner suite. This initial phase was driven by a fixed delivery and commissioning date for the scanner, which was shipped from Holland. To support the accelerated timeline, a heat recovery unit—sourced from Spain—was also fast-tracked. In parallel, due to the drainage alterations required, the building was handed over ahead of the external works.

As patients began accessing the facility while construction continued, the site transitioned from a controlled construction zone into a live clinical environment. To ensure safety and minimise disruption, temporary partitions were installed to maintain fire integrity and secure escape routes. Additional measures were implemented to manage dust, noise, and site access.