Northumbria Healthcare completes a digitally enabled redevelopment programme, advancing surgical infrastructure, delivery models, and patient care outcomes.
The completion of the final phase of redevelopment at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust marks a significant step in digitally enabled healthcare infrastructure delivery. The project, delivered at Hexham General Hospital, reflects how modern digital construction methodologies can support complex, multi-phase hospital upgrades.
Delivered by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, the programme demonstrates the role of integrated project delivery, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term digital planning in healthcare environments.
Spanning four years, the redevelopment programme focused on upgrading surgical facilities to meet increasing demand while maintaining operational continuity, an ongoing challenge in NHS estate modernisation projects.
Smart hospital design and advanced surgical facilities
The newly opened operating theatres introduce advanced surgical environments designed to improve clinical workflows, infection control, and operational efficiency. These multi-purpose theatres provide expanded capacity, enabling a broader range of procedures within a flexible, digitally supported clinical setting.
The design incorporates enhanced layouts, modern equipment integration, and improved environmental controls, key components in smart hospital design and digital construction for healthcare facilities. The approach aligns with wider sector trends focused on data-driven design, lifecycle asset management, and user-centric healthcare environments.
Collaborative project delivery
A defining feature of the programme is its collaborative delivery model, integrating clinical teams, estates professionals, and construction partners throughout the project lifecycle.
Mark Gardham, Sector Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are proud to have delivered the final stage of these transformational facilities for patients in Hexham. These works have shown how successful projects can be when all stakeholders are fully engaged and aligned in their vision, and are a testament to the relationship and trust we have built with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.”
Support from Identity Consult further highlights the importance of programme and project management expertise in large-scale healthcare infrastructure delivery.
Simon Allan, board director at Identity Consult, said: “The opening of the theatres marks the successful conclusion of the programme, which has spanned over a four-year period. During this time, the Identity Consult team has been delighted to support Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management in project and programme delivery, on this significant investment for the trust. It has been a truly collaborative effort involving a wide range of consultees, stakeholders, designers and contractors, including IHP as the principal contractor.
“Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the project to date from our perspective has been the spirit in which all parties have worked together to achieve a shared vision; the facilities now opening are significant and should be a source of pride for all involved.”
Improving patient outcomes
The redevelopment prioritises both patient experience and staff wellbeing, aligning with best practice in digital healthcare infrastructure. Modern operating environments support improved clinical efficiency, reduced risk, and enhanced working conditions.
Marion Dickson OBE, executive director of nursing, midwifery and AHPs at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “Completing this redevelopment programme and opening our new theatres is a major achievement for the trust. These facilities give our teams more space, improved equipment and a better environment in which to deliver care to the local people of Hexham and beyond.
“These new theatres will make a real difference to our patients and our teams. Having modern, purpose-built facilities means we can work more efficiently, support new ways of working and continue to provide safe, high-quality care.”
Damon Kent, managing director of Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, added: “The trust worked closely with clinical teams, estates staff and external partners to ensure the redevelopment met the needs of patients now and into the future. It’s been a really impressive programme delivered by multiple organisations – it’s a credit to all involved.”
This redevelopment highlights how digital construction, integrated delivery models, and stakeholder alignment can deliver resilient healthcare infrastructure, supporting evolving clinical demands while improving operational performance across NHS estates.
Read next: Industry calls on clients to lead safety transformation – Build in Digital
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
