Norfolk Community Diagnostic Centres
LSI Architects were commissioned by NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System to design two new diagnostic centres for the region.
The Norfolk and Waveney DAC programme is the largest capital investment in the region for over 20 years and has delivered three new diagnostic facilities. This is part of the national Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) Programme which has seen over 170 CDC sites approved across England.
These outstanding new facilities are supporting the delivery of improved health outcomes for people in Norfolk. They have reduced waiting times by providing increased capacity, which means patients receive the treatment they need much sooner.
LSI Architects were commissioned by NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System to design two new diagnostic centres; one for the James Paget University Hospital and one for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn.
The buildings each have the capacity for 40,000 outpatient appointments annually, including availability at weekends. These facilities not only meet immediate healthcare needs but also contribute to long-term health equity and environmental responsibility across the region.
Both buildings have been designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation and BREEAM Excellent, supporting the local and national estates strategies aspirations of becoming net zero carbon.
Both centres are two-storey buildings, with the ground floor of each dedicated to diagnostic equipment and associated facilities, and the first floor dedicated to the extensive plant requirements. The massing steps back at the top, making the centres primarily single-storey in appearance so that each building sits comfortably in its surroundings.
The design team worked closely with clinical teams to develop patient pathways that were simple and logical. Large, glazed entrances have also been incorporated to welcome in plenty of natural light and provide views outside. These design elements combine to promote wellbeing for patients and reduce anxiety and in what can be difficult circumstances.
The project has delivered vital healthcare facilities, with a clear focus on creating an excellent patient experience, whilst balancing the challenging requirement to accommodate a wide range of state-of-the-art imaging equipment into a condensed amount of space, alongside extensive associated mechanical requirements, within strict budgetary and programme constraints.
Client testimonial
“It is fantastic to see the first of our Community Diagnostic Centres open, providing modern scanning equipment which is essential to so many of the patients under our care. By delivering a county wide programme of this size it will allow the NHS to transform scanning services across Norfolk and Waveney. The result of which will help us see patients more quickly, meaning faster diagnosis and therefore faster treatment and improved outcomes.”
Simon Hackwell Programme Lead for the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System (ICS)