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Northumbria Health and Care Academy first healthcare building in UK to receive prestigious wellbeing certification

The Northumbria Health and Care Academy is the first healthcare building in the UK to achieve Gold WELL Certification™ from the International WELL Building Institute.

The WELL Building Standard considers both design and operational excellence, focusing on 10 key concepts that enhance health and wellbeing. Receiving this certification evidences the Academy’s commitment to supporting wellbeing through the design and construction process through to its usage.

Commissioned by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Assura plc, the Northumbria Health and Care Academy provides a centre of training excellence for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals. Since opening in June 2024, more than 3,000 students and staff have benefited from this space which has wellbeing at its core – from the availability of healthy food choices to a nature walking trail on site.

Emma Dawes, the trust’s head of nursing, midwifery and allied health professional education and workforce development, said: "The Academy is part of a commitment by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to develop its staff and grow its own workforce for the future – and embedding wellbeing is a critical part of this. We’ve had really positive feedback on the facility since it opened in June, but to be the first healthcare building in the UK to receive Gold WELL Certification really highlights the impact we’ve made."

Andrew Cooper, Assura development director added: "From the start, our collective goal was to design a facility that prioritises and invests in the wellbeing of staff and visitors. This recognition speaks to the collective effort, dedication, and teamwork from all involved. It’s something we can all be incredibly proud of!"

The £32 million facility, on the site of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, was designed by P+HS Architects and constructed by Meldrum Group while Hilson Moran acted as WELL Accredited Professionals on the project. They worked with the project team at Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, which is also involved in the building’s ongoing management.

The Academy comprises a range of bespoke facilities from classrooms to clinical practice areas which use the latest immersive teaching technology. It also houses a GP practice on the ground floor. NPC Northumbria Way is part of Northumbria Primary Care, a not-for-profit, at-scale provider of primary care services in Northumberland and North Tyneside.

David Hedgcock, managing director of Northumbria Primary Care, said: “Patient and staff experience is always a focus for us, and we know that great patient care is based on a combination of things, including our buildings and facilities.

“We are delighted that NPC Northumbria Way is the first GP practice nationally to receive WELL accreditation, as it reflects the efforts everyone has made to create a welcoming and supportive environment for patients and staff.”

Sharon Cook, healthcare lead and project designer from P+HS Architects, commented: "Making sure the Academy met the needs of those who would be using it was a key priority for us during this project and we collaborated closely with end users to design a space that truly supports their health and well-being.

"Guided by the principles of WELL, we incorporated features such as a calming, nature-inspired interior palette, expansive floor to ceiling windows to maximise natural light, and communal outdoor garden spaces to promote health and restoration. This certification underscores the meaningful impact this award-winning facility will have on both the workforce and patients, setting a benchmark for future healthcare environments."

Emma Flower at Hilson Moran said: "At Hilson Moran, we understand the benefits of healthy buildings and the impact a focus on wellbeing can have on a workforce.  We are proud to have successfully guided the design team through the WELL Certification process. The Northumbria Health and Care Academy is a prime example of what can be achieved when wellbeing is front of mind in building design."

Steve Waggett, Meldrum Group service delivery director, commented: "It is fantastic to see the Academy building attaining its WELL Gold standard, as this is the first scheme Meldrum Construction has delivered that required a WELL Certification.

"From the outset, the whole project team collaborated really well to ensure that the health and wellbeing of the end users was foremost in our thoughts at every stage, from the provision of a new walking trail, to the careful selection of the materials and finishes nothing was left to chance. It’s a credit to the efforts of the team that we achieved the gold level of certification."