A new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit has been completed at James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, following a 16-week construction project delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction.

The facility is designed to provide emergency medical care without requiring hospital admission, enabling patients to be assessed, diagnosed, and treated on the same day they arrive.

Morgan Sindall was appointed to carry out the project by James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with procurement handled through the Pagabo construction framework.

The development involved transforming the hospital’s existing fractures clinic into a modern SDEC unit. The upgraded space now includes a reception area, clinical treatment areas, 12 chair bays, eight bed bays, a drug preparation room, and three nurse stations. The fractures clinic has since been relocated elsewhere on the hospital site.

Several new patient care systems were installed as part of the project, including a nurse call system, infrastructure for medical gas distribution, and a digital lighting and ventilation system known as Mymesh, which allows lighting levels to be adjusted in individual patient bays.

Given the unit's central location within an operational hospital—and directly beneath a high-intensity care area—minimising disruption was a key priority. Clinical hoarding was used to separate construction zones, while a dedicated route ensured continued access between the hospital’s A&E department and surgical theatres.

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To manage noise levels, the construction team used monitoring equipment to ensure sound remained within strict limits. A communication system was also introduced, allowing clinical staff to request temporary pauses in work during sensitive situations, including end-of-life care.

Due to the need for intermittent stoppages dictated by clinical requirements, the project was delivered under an accelerated schedule, with staff working in shifts around the clock to meet the hospital’s deadline.

Sustainability measures were also implemented, including the appointment of a waste champion to divert recyclable materials from landfill. The project aligned with Morgan Sindall’s ‘10 Tonne Carbon Challenge’, which promotes carbon reduction initiatives.

Beyond construction, the project team worked with subcontractor LDD to deliver community improvements. This included refurbishing the garden at the hospital’s Sandra Chapman Centre, which supports patients with blood disorders and cancers. Works included upgrading seating areas, replacing paving and a pergola, repairing guttering, and planting new greenery, while preserving memorial items.

The team also donated a Christmas tree to the maternity and children’s ward, where project manager Danny Branson distributed gifts to young patients dressed as Father Christmas.

Additional social value initiatives included supporting two apprentices on-site and offering work experience placements to students from a nearby school.

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."