Client

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust / Robertson CE

Local Authority

Newcastle City Council

Project Description

New Urgent Treatment Centre

On behalf of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Robertson CE Limited, DPP was appointed to support a series of works to upgrade the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.

The proposals included the erection of a two-storey hospital building to accommodate a new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), alongside the replacement of an existing canopy, installation of a generator and associated enclosure, and the provision of access, parking, and hard and soft landscaping. A full planning application was submitted to secure permission for the new facilities, supported by a comprehensive suite of technical assessments, including heritage, ecology, and transport.

The proposed UTC was designed to help alleviate pressure on the existing Emergency Department by providing care for patients with non-life-threatening conditions, enabling emergency medicine specialists to focus on those who are critically unwell.

The proposed development has delivered significant benefits, including enhanced healthcare capacity, improved patient flow, and reduced waiting times. The scheme has also improved patient experience and staff working conditions, providing a modern, fit-for-purpose healthcare environment, and strengthening the operational resilience of the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The positive impact of the investment has already been demonstrated, with approximately 25 additional staff members employed, and 1,500 patients treated in the first two weeks following opening in January 2026. During this period, around 90% of patients were seen within four hours, highlighting the centre’s role in improving access to urgent care, easing pressures on the emergency department and supporting the wider delivery of urgent healthcare services.

Overall, the development represents a significant investment in local healthcare infrastructure and has strengthened the Royal Victoria Infirmary’s ability to meet current and future healthcare needs. By expanding capacity and improving the quality and efficiency of service provision, the scheme is helping to support the continued delivery of high-quality NHS care for communities across the region.

The development of the proposals, achieved through a collaborative effort between the applicant, local authorities, and stakeholders, reflects our shared vision to meet the community’s aspirations, ultimately resulting in planning permission being secured.

Achievements

DPP provided strategic planning advice throughout the project, taking into account the complexities of working within an operational hospital environment. This included advising on key planning considerations and coordinating technical inputs, including heritage, ecology, and transport assessments to support the application.

DPP prepared and submitted a full planning application for the development and managed the process through to determination. The scheme represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, improving patient flow, reducing waiting times, and delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose facility to support the ongoing provision of high-quality NHS services.

Following determination, DPP continued to support the project by leading the discharge of conditions process and preparing a non-material amendment application to facilitate the effective delivery of the approved scheme.