Case Study – Healthcare

Project: St. Oswald’s Hospice Day Services Centre, Gosforth
Architect: J.D.D.K.
Client: St. Oswald’s Hospice
Main Contractor:  Dorin Construction

Laidlaw handrails, doorsets and ironmongery for vital North East hospice

September 2009 sees the opening of the new £2.8 million St. Oswald’s Hospice Day Services Outpatients’ Suite. Built by Dorin Construction, the purpose-built facility will offer a range of flexible services to North East families. Its children's facility has been built on land adjacent to the adult one, but with a separate entrance and reception area to ensure children and families feel safe within their own environment.

The new building has, not surprisingly, become the focus of considerable media attention. A peaceful and welcoming haven for those suffering from terminal illness and their families meant that interior design and furnishings were of critical importance. J.D.D.

K. Architects’ specification included extensive use of Laidlaw Solutions’ Orbis Timber Doorsets with Satin Stainless Steel Orbis Commercial ironmongery. In addition, co-ordinated timber and stainless steel handrail systems were both used, with stainless steel also used in key external areas. J.D.D.K. architect Stuart Franklin said of the project, “We worked closely with Laidlaw Solutions to develop a contemporary adaptation of their existing balustrade range, which suited the scheme aesthetics, at no extra cost to the project.  Throughout  the project, Laidlaw’s customer liaison/aftercare service was reassuringly pro-active, permitting the client to fully integrate the new building into their existing campus”.

Laminated Orbis timber doorsets were fitted to eight treatment and therapy rooms, a patient assessment room, as well as offices in the reception, patient and carer areas. Fittings of particular note included access control to static doors and 'auto doors' in corridors, while fittings from the extensive Orbis Commercial range ensured that full co-ordination of design was achieved.

Simon Campbell, Contracts Manager of Dorin Construction commented, “Laidlaw Solutions were involved at a very early stage in the specification and design, discussing user requirements for this building. From early pre-order meetings to post completion service their staff have been excellent”.