Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a 16-week project to deliver a new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit at James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, created within an existing clinical space as part of a wider hospital reconfiguration.
Commissioned by James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH) and procured through the Pagabo construction framework, the scheme involved converting the hospital’s former fractures clinic into a fully operational emergency assessment and treatment facility.
The SDEC unit is designed to assess, diagnose and treat patients on the same day they arrive, reducing the need for inpatient admission and easing pressure on the emergency department.
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The project included the refurbishment and reconfiguration of internal hospital space to deliver a new reception area, clinical zones, 12 chair bays, eight bed bays, a drug preparation room and three nurse stations.
As part of the wider enabling works, the existing fractures clinic was relocated elsewhere on the hospital site.
New installations within the unit include a nurse call system, infrastructure for a medical gas distribution system, and a digital lighting and ventilation system (Mymesh), which allows individual bay lighting control to support patient care.
Construction took place within a live hospital setting, located beneath an operational high-intensity clinical area. Measures were implemented to manage disruption, including clinical hoarding, a protected access route between A&E and surgical theatres, and continuous noise monitoring.
A direct communication process was established between the construction team and clinical staff, allowing works to be paused where required for sensitive clinical activity or end-of-life care.
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Due to the need for intermittent stoppages, the project was delivered under an accelerated 24/7 programme to meet the hospital’s operational deadline.
Waste, carbon and site management
A dedicated waste champion was appointed to manage materials and reduce landfill use through recycling and reuse of construction waste.
The scheme was also delivered in line with Morgan Sindall’s “10 Tonne Carbon Challenge”, which focuses on identifying carbon reduction opportunities across construction activity.
Alongside the main programme, the project team and subcontractor LDD carried out improvements to the hospital’s Sandra Chapman Centre garden, including replacement paving, seating refurbishment, pergola replacement, guttering repairs and new planting.
Care was taken to preserve memorial plants and donated items already in place.
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Additional works were also carried out in the maternity and children’s ward, including the donation of a Christmas tree and distribution of gifts to patients.
The project supported two apprentices and provided work experience placements for students from a local school.
Project comments
Alister Broadberry, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Eastern Counties, said: “Delivering a project of this complexity within an active hospital environment requires more than just technical skill. It demands a significant amount of sector expertise and an incredibly close collaboration with the client.
“By working with the clinical teams, we were able to maintain an accelerated 24/7 pace while remaining completely adaptable to the immediate clinical needs of the hospital.
“Thanks to this approach, James Paget Hospital’s new Same Day Emergency Care unit was ready on time and to the high standard the clinical teams expect.
“I’m also proud that we simultaneously capitalised on every opportunity we could to support the local community and the patients we are building for.”
Charlotte Dillaway, Chief Operating Officer at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The aim of our new SDEC unit is to give our patients quicker access to the care they need, while reducing pressure in our Emergency Department and ensuring that beds on our wards are available for those that need them.
“The project was completed on time and at pace to ensure it would be operational by the winter, with the new unit created in space vacated by our orthopaedic outpatient services department, which is now based in new modern accommodation on the hospital site.”
