The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has officially opened at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds.
The new centre provides a major new resource for specialist neurological care in the UK.
The centre is the first purpose-built MND facility of its kind in the country and was opened with an emotional ceremony held by Rob Burrow’s family alongside Dr Agam Jung.
Rob Burrow was a former professional rugby league player who became a national inspiration after being diagnosed with MND in 2019.
Sadly, Burrow passed away in June 2024.
“Ultimately, Rob wanted this centre to help families, and I think he would be incredibly proud,” said Lindsey Burrow, Rob’s wife, speaking to BBC reporters during the opening ceremony.
MND is a rare, progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness and wasting of the muscles.
Over time, it impacts movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing. There is currently no cure, but specialist care and support can help manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.
The £6.8m centre was made possible through the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s fundraising campaign.
How to design healthcare facilities with MND in mind
Designed by Corstorphine & Wright in close collaboration with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, clinicians, patients, and families, the building translates lived experience into design.
From the layout to the finishes, the building has been shaped by how people living with MND interact with their surroundings day to day.
The site contains wide, unobstructed corridors, level thresholds and automated doors to make the space fully navigable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
The design also brings together clinical and social environments under one roof, with treatment rooms, therapy suites and research spaces. There are also family lounges and quiet reflection areas.
Constructed by I&G, the project includes sustainable design principles, such as low-energy systems and materials that promote long-term efficiency and comfort.
“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,” said Mark Boothby, Joint Managing Director of I&G.
Yorkshire-based Delta Construction Consultants worked to provide the building control provision for the new Rob Burrow Centre.
“It was never lost on any of us the sensitivity and significance of this project from the outset,” said James Elliott, Director at Delta Construction Consultants. “Though simple in its form, the building pushed many boundaries of regulation and credit is due to the design and construction teams for delivering a high-quality, sustainable facility that truly serves its purpose.”
Other key project partners in the project included Currie & Brown, Curtins, and BWB Consulting.