Transforming former hospital block into modern diagnostic and treatment centre at Leigh.
KEY FEATURES
Whitfield & Brown transformed the former Hanover Building at Leigh Infirmary into a modern diagnostic and treatment centre, delivering high-quality healthcare facilities for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. The project involved the complete refurbishment and remodelling of a 1970s three-storey concrete-framed building, revitalising an underused asset into a contemporary, patient-focused clinical environment.
The £3.4 million scheme reconfigured the building to accommodate four core clinical departments, bringing together endoscopy, urology, women’s healthcare and endoscope reprocessing services within a single, integrated facility.
The redeveloped facility was designed to support a “one-stop” approach to patient care, enabling consultations, diagnostics and follow-up procedures to be carried out within a single visit where appropriate.
Each department was developed through dedicated stakeholder workshops, ensuring that layouts, clinical adjacencies and specialist requirements were fully aligned with operational needs.
The design incorporates clear patient pathways, high levels of observation within clinical areas and appropriately segregated spaces to safeguard patient privacy and dignity. These principles underpin the delivery of safe, efficient and patient-focused healthcare services.
The project demonstrates the successful transformation of a redundant healthcare facility into a modern clinical environment. Originally a partly vacant building with outdated facilities, the Hanover Building was stripped back and comprehensively remodelled to meet the standards of a contemporary NHS treatment centre.
Externally, the building was redefined through the installation of new cladding systems incorporating slate, terracotta and stone Trespa panels, alongside large glazed areas that maximise natural daylight and significantly improve thermal performance.
Key structural and architectural interventions included the full replacement of the roof, installation of a new lift and the creation of a new entrance canopy, giving the building a strong and modern identity within the wider hospital estate.
The refurbished building provides highly serviced clinical accommodation across three floors, supporting a range of specialist healthcare functions. These include procedure rooms, treatment and recovery areas, outpatient clinics and dedicated decontamination facilities for endoscopy equipment.
Extensive mechanical and electrical services were integrated throughout, including ventilation systems, medical gases, specialist water systems and air handling units to support high-quality clinical environments and advanced medical procedures.
The inclusion of bespoke transportation lifts enables the safe and efficient movement of equipment between departments, supporting operational efficiency and infection control requirements.
The project was delivered within the operational grounds of Leigh Infirmary, requiring careful planning, coordination and communication to maintain continuity of services across adjacent hospital facilities.
Whitfield & Brown implemented robust site management and segregation strategies, including controlled access routes, clear communication with hospital staff and phased programming of works. This ensured that disruption was minimised while maintaining safety for patients, staff and visitors.
The Hanover Diagnostic and Treatment Centre was recognised nationally, winning the Building Better Healthcare Award for Best Use of Existing Estate, reflecting the vision and quality achieved in transforming an outdated building into a modern, fit-for-purpose healthcare facility.
Client testimonial
“A great project showcasing how to bring life back to a 1970s concrete framed building. It won the Building Better Healthcare Best Use of Existing Estate award. Thanks to you and your team for a great team effort.”
David Evans, Director of Estates & Facilities, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Completed within a short programme, the scheme represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, delivering a modern diagnostic and treatment centre that enhances patient experience, improves service efficiency and supports better clinical outcomes.
The project stands as a strong example of Whitfield & Brown’s expertise in refurbishing complex healthcare facilities, demonstrating the ability to transform existing estates into high-quality, future-ready clinical environments through collaboration, technical excellence and a clear focus on patient-centred design.
