Background Information
Below is a summary of the reasons behind the proposed relocations:
Shrublands Medical Centre
The current Shrublands Medical Centre is a modular temporary building which has been in situ for over 10 years. Following various unsuccessful attempts by the landlord to re-provide the space as a permanent structure, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) has now engaged an alternative organisation to progress the site redevelopment. The new build will be substantially more expensive to occupy, would represent a significant cost, and is not in line with ECCH’s operational and estate plans. As a result, ECCH has been exploring estate options within the locality with a view to relocating some ECCH functions to a new location (leaving just clinic-based services on the redeveloped Shrublands site). In looking for an alternative for the non-clinic-based services, we have also been looking at any further opportunities to reduce ECCH’s estate footprint in Gorleston and Great Yarmouth and possible consolidation of administration processes.
Herbert Matthes Block, Northgate
The landlord of the Northgate Hospital site (Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust) is redeveloping part of the site (Cranbrook House) to accommodate the new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) that will be run by the James Paget University Hospital (JPUH). At the end of January ECCH was approached by the landlord to ask if we could give up some space on the top floor of the Herbert Matthes block (HMB) to assist with its very short notice relocation of NSFT staff based at Cranbrook House. Subsequently the landlord has confirmed that ECCH needs to vacate the whole of the top floor of HMB and are providing a significant financial incentive for us to complete this move by 1st July 2024.
We are making our best endeavours to support this request as the successful development of the CDC is to benefit all citizens and partners in our area and is aligned to our strategic objectives.
Summary of Key Drivers for the proposed relocations
- Avoiding the substantial cost pressures of the redevelopment of the Shrublands site for non-clinic-based accommodation
- Reduced duplication in PCH administration process
- Support the ECCH estate rationalisation and landlord redevelopment of the Northgate Hospital site
- Improved clinical training and meeting facilities
- Supporting the ECCH vision to deliver Healthier Communities and deliver social value by aligning with a key local community partner