Perkins&Will has been appointed as lead consultant to design the new James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. The project is part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP) and has been prioritised due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a material associated with structural risks in ageing buildings.
The scheme is being delivered by James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust alongside The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, as part of a coordinated programme across the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.
Government funding was approved in early 2025 following the submission of a masterplan and initial design by Perkins&Will’s London studio. After a competitive selection process that included stakeholder engagement and formal evaluation, the company has been confirmed to provide architectural services, act as lead consultant and contract administrator, and lead a multidisciplinary team across all RIBA Work Plan stages.
Martin John, Strategic Director for the New Hospital Programme in the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, said: “It is significant for James Paget Hospital, and the wider programme, to continue working with Perkins&Will on the design and delivery of a new hospital that meets the needs of communities in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. We look forward to strengthening this partnership, combining their expertise in masterplanning, architecture and technical design with input from staff, patients and local communities to bring our vision to life.”
A human-centred, future-ready design
Perkins&Will’s proposals align with the NHP’s Hospital 2.0 framework, combining standardised, modular construction with a holistic approach to sustainability and regenerative design. The scheme uses Modern Methods of Construction, incorporating repeatable building components to drive efficiency and consistency.
Gonzalo Vargas, Health Practice Leader at Perkins&Will London, said: “The redevelopment of James Paget University Hospital is critical for the region, providing modern, resilient healthcare facilities for the future. While rooted in the Hospital 2.0 model, our approach demonstrates how standardisation and human-centred design can work together. By focusing on spaces beyond the clinical core—such as arrival areas, concourses, gardens and staff facilities—we are shaping both the experience and movement of patients and staff. This is a flagship project for our growing healthcare portfolio, and we look forward to continuing our close collaboration to deliver a hospital the community can be proud of.”
Masterplan overview
The masterplan establishes a long-term vision for an integrated healthcare and education campus that can evolve over time. While the existing RAAC hospital will be demolished, several buildings will be retained and refurbished, including more recent facilities. These will be integrated into a cohesive campus alongside new developments.
Key features include:
- A welcoming arrival space with high-quality public realm, pedestrian-focused design, and convenient drop-off areas;
- Peripheral routing of vehicles to create a safer, greener internal campus;
- Enhanced use of landscape and improved biodiversity;
- A new central public park offering community amenity and supporting future mixed-use development;
- Integrated strategies for landscape, drainage, and parking, reducing reliance on underground infrastructure.
The project is expected to be one of the largest construction schemes in the region in decades, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation.
Project progress and timeline
The project recently reached an important milestone with approval of its Strategic Outline Case (SOC) by the Department of Health and Social Care Joint Investment Committee.
Both the James Paget and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital schemes have now entered the Outline Business Case stage, where detailed designs and cost plans will be developed. Both hospitals are currently expected to open to patients in 2032/33.
Project team
- Perkins&Will — Architect, Lead Consultant
- WSP — MEP/CSE, specialist services
- Plan A Consultants — Design management
- Allies and Morrison — Landscape
- BVN — Design peer review
- Portland Design — Wayfinding and art strategy
- Aligned Design Studio — Industrialisation
- iM2 — Building control and BSA advisory
- Tricon — Catering