Nevada Construction has completed building works for a new outpatient facility at Plymouth Marjon University, enabling the Trust’s Chronic Pain Management service to relocate from shared accommodation at the Derriford Hospital site.
Michaela Slocombe, Deputy Directorate Manager for Pain Management at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, told Building Better Healthcare that the 10-month project began in May 2025, with the service moving into the completed facility in March 2026.
The completed facility provides nine clinic rooms in total, three more than were available at the previous hospital site, alongside a purpose-built space for pain rehabilitation group sessions and a dedicated patient gym.
“These enhancements have increased capacity and provided a more suitable environment to support both individual and group-based pain management programmes,” said Slocombe.
Hospital accommodation no longer sufficient
The relocation was prompted by pressure on the service's former accommodation at Rowan House at Derriford Hospital, where Chronic Pain Management shared space with the Dermatology service.
“Due to recruitment and growth across both departments, the accommodation was no longer sufficient to meet both service’s needs,” said Slocombe.
The Trust considered expanding within the existing site, but the options were not feasible.
It subsequently assessed alternative locations across Plymouth before identifying suitable space at Marjon.
The university was already being used by the Pain Rehabilitation team to deliver group programmes, providing an established base for the new facility.
“When suitable space became available, it presented an excellent opportunity to create a dedicated facility that could better support the future development of the service while strengthening an already established partnership with the university,” said Slocombe.
The new layout also provides separate areas for individual consultations and group-based pain management programmes, while additional parking is available for patients attending the service, including those experiencing pain or mobility difficulties.
NHS and university partnership
The project builds on an existing relationship between University Hospitals Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University, with the Pain Rehabilitation service having used the campus for group programmes for at least five years.
“University Hospitals Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2025 and are committed to joint working,” said Slocombe.
The partnership also provides opportunities for students and graduates to gain healthcare experience and supports wider clinical placement activity at the university.
The new accommodation provides the service with dedicated space to expand its clinical and rehabilitation programmes.
