Matt Hall
Senior Associate, Hoare Lea
Supporting the long-term recovery of the West Indies’ Emerald Isle, we’ve been hard at work on the New National Hospital, making resilient infrastructure a reality for underserved communities.
In 1989, Hurricane Hugo severely damaged 90% of Montserrat’s infrastructure, including its healthcare facilities. Just as a 66-bed replacement hospital opened, the long-dormant Soufrière Hills volcano erupted, devastating the island capital of Plymouth where the hospital was located and forcing two thirds of the population to leave the island – many never returning.
All images courtesy of Article 25
Since the 1995 to 1997 eruptions, a converted school (Glendon Hospital) has served as Montserrat’s primary medical facility, but now that a hardier New National Hospital is on the horizon – in partnership with the Government of Montserrat, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and UK agencies – the future looks healthier and more resilient.
We spent a site-surveying week on the island in 2022 with Article 25 architects, getting to know medical and facilities staff, and visiting the remains of what has been called ‘Caribbean Pompeii’. With whole buildings covered with rock and debris, and roofs that could collapse underneath you, the area had been made an exclusion zone.
Fast-forward past the full design progressing to RIBA Stage 4, and the contract for construction being awarded last year, the concrete structure phase of works is now progressing.
We’ll soon be returning to the island for MEP service inspections, with the hospital due to open later this year, providing Montserrat with a safe, futureproof, inclusive healthcare environment.
- Hurricane and earthquake resilient
- Advanced climate control
- Humidity-reducing, infection-control ventilation
- HV/LV infrastructure and backup power
- A&E department and maternity care
- Two operating theatres
- Full diagnostic suite and isolation rooms
The 57,000 sq ft, hurricane and earthquake-resilient New National Hospital will bring all clinical services together under one roof. Designed around a central courtyard and connected double-storey wings, it has an A&E department, maternity care, two operating theatres, diagnostics, and isolation rooms, plus administrative spaces. The building also has advanced ventilation systems to reduce humidity and support infection control – key, given Montserrat’s tropical climate.
After plenty of engagement with clinicians, health officials and the public, we were able to shape a design that reflects NHS standards, supports modern healthcare delivery, and fosters both patient healing and staff wellbeing.
LET'S TALK
Lifeline in Laos.
Image courtesy of Article 25
Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, we’ve been helping to kick off a major new project at Khammouane Provincial Hospital in Thakhek, a town on the banks of the Mekong River. Demand is high and resources are limited in the local area and, at 101 years old with several buildings in chronic disrepair, the hospital has had to expand in stages.
Along with Article 25 and engineering partners Lao Consulting Group, we’ll be delivering a transformative masterplan for the hospital’s future development, shaped by the people who use and run the hospital every day.
They can expect a comprehensive design for a new acute care building with state-of-the-art emergency department, intensive care unit, operating theatres, and full outpatient services to expand vital healthcare provision.
The Health and Nutrition Programme (LAO/035) is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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