Monkwearmouth Development, a joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine and Argon Property Development Solutions, has teamed up with NTW Solutions, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide a new building.
The new building will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust.
The new building, Wearmouth View, at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland is now complete.
It’s remarkable to think this building has taken shape in 18 months, against such a challenging background of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial pressures
Work on the project began in August 2022, with the demolition of the old building which was structurally unsound and unfit for purpose.
The new three-storey building has dramatically improved the site and provides a welcoming, bright entrance to the hospital for visitors and patients.
An atrium contains a new reception area, as well as a bright and airy café, ‘Café Bede,’ which is open to the public, and it is hoped will become a welcoming place for the local community.
The rest of the building will house offices and meeting facilities for the Community Mental Health teams and other services based at Monkwearmouth Hospital.
These modern, spacious, purpose-built working environments have been designed in partnership with staff, to promote better teamwork and help them to provide excellent care and support.
The work has also created more outdoor space for people to enjoy around the building.
This includes a relaxing new green space and seating areas at the front of the building.
A new memorial garden is also being created within the grounds of the hospital, reflecting the history of the site.
In addition, original features of the old building have been preserved and have pride of place in the new entrance area.
These include the foundation stones and commemorative plaques from the opening of the original building.
During the demolition of the old building, a time capsule from 1930 was found in the building’s foundations, containing memorabilia from the opening ceremony of the original Monkwearmouth Hospital which was attended by Edward VIII, Prince of Wales at the time and who later became King.
To continue the tradition, a new time capsule has been buried beneath Wearmouth View. It contains information and photos about the 1930 time capsule and old hospital, and the construction of the new building, as well as items symbolising the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the NHS’s 75th anniversary in 2023.
Darren Best, Chair of the Council of Governors and Board of Directors at CNTW, said: “These are modern facilities we can be really proud of, which will enable us to deliver modern services. The amount of quality space for our staff is amazing, especially for our Community Teams.”
James Duncan, Chief Executive at CNTW, added: “This site has been used for a long time providing a whole range of healthcare services in Sunderland – and although we had to redevelop it, I think it’s a fitting tribute to John Priestman [local philanthropist whose donations funded the building of the original Monkwearmouth Hospital building] that we will continue to have this fantastic building providing health services in the heart of this community.”
“It’s remarkable to think this building has taken shape in 18 months, against such a challenging background of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial pressures.”
- Companies:
- Sir Robert McAlpine
- NTW Solutions
- Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Argon Property Development Solutions
