Contractor appointed and work underway

13 March  2012


Suffolk-based ISG has been appointed to build the £1.5 million Palliative Care East information and supportive care centre at the James Paget University Hospital.


ISG started preliminary work on site today with the building due to be completed in December 2012.


The Palliative Care East (PCE) appeal was launched in 2006 and the aim of the appeal is to provide Great Yarmouth and Waveney with a stunning information centre that will help people with incurable illnesses such as cancer, respiratory, neurological, and cardiac diseases.


The new centre will host a range of information and supportive care services provided by a wide range of organisations working in partnership: from the NHS, to local cancer charities, patient support groups, and bereavement groups. The centre will not provide palliative care beds.


The centre will be about living life. Many people need help to live as full a life as possible when they have an incurable condition. The Palliative Care East centre will provide them with access to advice and support and will also signpost them to appropriate community services.


Interim chairman of the James Paget University Hospital, Peter Franzen, said: “We’re delighted that ISG are starting work and this marks an exciting time for the appeal. Local people have been so very generous and it’s great to see that generosity and hard work paying dividends now.


This centre will make such a difference, not only to patients with incurable diseases but also to their friends and families. Having access to information, help and support from the local NHS and local charities will help thousands of local people”.


ISG’s Bernard Clarke, managing director – South East, added: “The start of this project today is an extremely important moment for everyone involved in this impressive fundraising effort. As a purpose-built resource to focus patient support and advice, the new centre will undoubtedly become an invaluable regional healthcare asset.”

The new centre is a standalone building being built on a greenfield site at the northern end of the James Paget University Hospital site. The architects are Norwich-based LSI Architects. The new information and supportive care centre at the James Paget University Hospital is expected to open by Christmas 2012.  It is estimated 10,000 people a year will use the centre.