Pharmacy for Rivers Hospital Hellesdon

New pharmacy building by Hoopers Architects in Norwich.

The Pharmacy
NSFT Dispensary at Rivers Hospital
Hellesdon, Norwich

The Pharmacy provides a centralised service for packaging and supplying medication to Trust locations and patients throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. It has been relocated a number of times in recent years. The design of the new facility has been carefully thought through to coordinate with future site plans. The continuing operation and logistics of the move were all part of a huge effort by NSFT dispensary staff, programming and estates teams and all the building contractors involved.

Psychiatric drugs/medication in a mental health hospital environment, for some service users, can be an important treatment on the pathway to recovery. The stigma around medication can also be uncomfortable and distressing for families and friends. With its rising ‘aspirational’ wild flower roof that will change with the seasons, the dispensary for the NSFT at Hellesdon, is now given the opportunity to play an active role in the hospital (and wider community) setting, in its new permanent location.

Carefully thought through design by Hoopers Architects
New Pharmacy at Hellesdon Hospital by hoopers Architects in Norfolk.

Working with the Trust dispensary team we worked hard to consider this and the detailed work flow of the internal environment. Small ‘working bays’ positioned around a central vaulted open working area is orientated to take advantage of light at high level to add a natural light quality to the working environment (one which is not available in the existing facility). This and the use of the vaulted ceiling spaces are considered to contribute to the well-being of the staff, who like ward clinicians have remained on site, throughout the pandemic over the last few years, due to the nature of the service.

In this part of the overall site the new Pharmacy resembles a sort of gatehouse to the lower plateau entrance which will soon become the main entrance to the new ward development of the new ‘rivers’ hospital campus.

Exterior photo of pharmacy designed by Hoopers Architects Norwich.
Hoopers Architects working for the NHS.

Team

Main Contractor

SEH French

Structures

JPChick

Services engineer

JSH

Quantity Surveyor

Castons

Photography

Juli Richter