Altnagelvin North Wing: Designing for resilience and care By: HLM Architects When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the healthcare industry and its priorities shifted. Originally scheduled for completion in June 2020, the construction of the North Wing at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, Northern Ireland was brought forward and completed in April to meet the urgent need for additional hospital beds. Delivered in close partnership with the Western Health and Social Care Trust, the £42 million development exemplifies how collaboration and design innovation can respond to extraordinary circumstances without compromising long-term vision. Designing for flexibility and patient wellbeing Building within a live acute hospital environment demanded both technical precision and sensitivity. A phased strategy ensured the hospital remained fully operational while a new entrance, inpatient wards and extensive landscaping was introduced. The result is a facility that not only addressed immediate pressures but also strengthens the hospital’s capacity to adapt to future needs. At the heart of the scheme is a flexible approach to ward design. The layout was shaped around the specific needs of patients with cognitive and perceptual challenges, incorporating principles that support observation and enhance safety. Each 8-bed cluster is arranged so that every patient is visible from the … Continue reading Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, Northern Ireland