The country’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) is set to open in Nottinghamshire, marking a transformative moment for rehabilitation medicine.
Nottingham Trust have put out a statement that the centre will “will soon open its doors to patients”.
“The National Rehabilitation Centre embodies the future of the NHS: community-based care, digital innovation, and prevention through better recovery outcomes,” said Minister of State, Health Karin Smyth.
Developed at a cost of £105m under the government’s New Hospital Programme, the NRC will be run by Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust and will provide cutting-edge rehabilitation for patients recovering from life-changing illnesses and injuries.
The 70-bed, purpose-built facility will deliver earlier and more intensive rehabilitation for NHS patients.
It has been designed around a new clinical model developed by NUH, with workforce training to ensure patients receive highly individualised, expert-led care.
The centre will be home to the most comprehensive robotics suite in the NHS, featuring advanced robotic technologies to support walking, hand function and limb rehabilitation.
It will also feature Europe’s first 360-degree hoist, allowing patients to practise movement in realistic environments.
Outside of the technological advancements and features, the NRC has been designed with sustainability in mind.
The facility is also the NHS’s first operationally carbon-neutral building, incorporating solar panels, air source heat pumps and a sustainability-powered energy centre.
It was also designed with wellness in mind as patients will have access to natural surroundings to aid their recovery, such as a 5km trim trail, hand-cycle track, fishing lake, and a golf course.
The facility was delivered by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), which is a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine.
“The NRC sets a new benchmark for sustainable, data-driven healthcare. From its smart hospital design to its carbon-neutral credentials, it represents the future of rehabilitation, not just for the NHS, but globally,” said Mark Bessey, Director of Healthcare at IHP.
The construction of the NRC includes:
- 2,675 sqm of windows – enough glass to cover 10 double tennis courts.
- More then 83km of pipework – equivalent to more than twice the distance of the entire Nottingham tram network.
- 12km of air ducts – equivalent to the length of 1,200 football pitches.
- Almost a kilometre of wooden handrails throughout the building.
NRC Academy
The NRC is envisaged as a ‘hub’ in a future national network of regional rehabilitation centres, extending its impact across the UK through a “hub-and-spoke” model.
The UK has the second lowest number of rehabilitation doctors in Europe - with Italy being the lowest.
In collaboration with 26 universities across England, the NRC will offer an academy where students can receive training, from short, one-day courses to more in-depth Master’s level modules.
It will also offer continuous professional development opportunities for healthcare professionals.
“The NRC is much more than just a building. Our aim is to revolutionise rehabilitation across the country so that every NHS patient who suffers a life-changing illness or injury receives the best rehabilitation possible and the best chance to return to living an independent and fulfilling life,” said Miriam Duffy, NRC Director and physiotherapist.
History of the site
The facility is co-located with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre on the 365-acre Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough.
The DMRC will share facilities with the NRC, including a full hydrotherapy suite, an advanced gait lab, a Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN).
The vision for the NRC dates back to 2009, when it was first conceived by the late 6th Duke of Westminster when he purchased the SHRE for the purpose.
The Black Stork Charity also played a key role in realising the project, having raised more than £300m to develop the Defence facility and enabling the NRC to follow.
