Browne Jacobson advises on NHS rehabilitation centre

The long-awaited National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) has officially opened its doors, marking a significant advancement in rehabilitation care within the NHS. This pioneering project, backed by funding from the UK Government's New Hospital Programme, represents a collaborative effort between Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) and the law firm Browne Jacobson. Having provided legal assistance on this £107 million scheme since 2019, Browne Jacobson's real estate team has played a crucial role in realising a facility designed to blend world-class research, innovative practices, and top-tier educational resources while ensuring the delivery of the highest standards of rehabilitative care.

Located on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough, the NRC is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built centre with a capacity of 70 beds. This facility aims to offer patients a timely and intensive therapeutic environment, leveraging advanced technology like the UK’s first 360-degree hoist and the most comprehensive robotics suite in the NHS. Designed to support those recovering from serious illness or injury, the NRC epitomises the commitment to providing transformative care.

Victoria Thourgood, Partner at Browne Jacobson and head of the health, social care, and life sciences real estate team, stated “After many years of working on this project, this is a proud moment to see the NRC open its doors. This is a genuinely ground-breaking facility for the NHS, and it has been a privilege to support NUH in bringing this vision to life. Projects of this scale bring a genuine opportunity to tackle some of society’s biggest issues but come with a level of complexity that requires sustained commitment." With the opening of the NRC, she expressed optimism about the centre's potential, asserting that "the NRC will make a real and lasting difference to patients across the country, while giving the UK a global platform for cutting-edge rehabilitative care."

The concept of establishing both Defence and National Rehabilitation centres on a single site originated from the vision of the late 6th Duke of Westminster in 2009 who acquired the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate specifically for this purpose. Alongside this initiative, the Black Stork Charity was formed to secure the necessary funding of £300 million for the establishment of these crucial facilities.

In the long term, the National Rehabilitation Centre aims to serve as the national ‘hub’ within a broader ‘hub and spoke’ model, facilitating the creation of regional rehabilitation units to extend its impact and service to as many patients as possible. The NRC is not solely focused on patient care; it also aspires to lead in rehabilitation research, innovation, and provide training and education through its NRC Academy. Browne Jacobson's expertise extends across various sectors, including later living, supported living, and NHS estates, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healthcare delivery in the UK.