28 April 2026
Robertson completes reimagined Newcastle Diabetes Centre
Robertson Construction North East has completed the £3.2m Newcastle Diabetes Centre at Freeman Hospital, delivered as part of Newcastle Hospitals’ Capital Works Programme.
The project has transformed a former administrative area of the Freeman Hospital into a modern clinical environment, improving accessibility and enhancing the patient experience. Originally based at the city’s Campus for Ageing and Vitality, the service has relocated and expanded in response to growing patient demand.
The new centre combines consulting rooms, treatment rooms, open plan office space, and a variety of education rooms – from one-to-one discussions to large group training – to support patients living with diabetes.
Designed in line with Health Building Note and Health Technical Memoranda guidance, the refurbished and reconfigured space adopts universal design principles to ensure it is accessible and inclusive for a diverse range of users. A dementia-friendly approach informed the selection of materials and finishes, with careful use of Light Reflectance Values (LRVs) to provide appropriate contrast between surfaces for patients with cognitive or visual impairments.
The design, which integrates Diabetes, Podiatry and Dietitian services, was informed by an extensive stakeholder engagement process with patient and staff groups from each department. This saw healthcare design expertise, user experience and practical considerations brought together to create a sustainable facility that can adapt to evolving service needs.
Wayfinding played a key role in the design, with a clear, multi-layered strategy using intuitive signage and visual cues to support independent navigation throughout the space. A considered interior design and artwork strategy brings each space to life with feature colours and iconic imagery inspired by local landmarks to aid recognition.
Neil Kennedy, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction North East, said: “Through our close partnership with the Trust on its Capital Works Programme, we have delivered high-quality projects across its estate, including the new Diabetes Centre. Transforming office space into an exceptional clinical environment builds on our strong track record of delivering healthcare infrastructure that improves staff and patient experience across the region.”
Dr. Ahmad Abou-Saleh, Lead Consultant at Newcastle Diabetes Centre, part of Newcastle Hospitals, said: “Our new diabetes centre situated in the Freeman Hospital enables us to work more closely with specialist teams across Newcastle Hospitals to provide more holistic wrap around, inclusive care for all of our patients.”
Hannah Dawood, Senior Architect, Medical Architecture, said: “The Newcastle Diabetes Centre was designed in close collaboration with clinicians in each department, with patient care at its heart. Colour and curated artwork played a vital role in creating welcoming, uplifting environments, supporting the Trust’s new approach to interior design.”
The centre was designed by Medical Architecture and delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction North East for The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It forms part of the Trust’s three-year Capital Works Programme, delivered via ProCure23, to which Robertson was appointed in 2024.
