This is how the ‘state of the art’ Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease could look like when it's finished as the first designs are released.
Architects have shared designs of the centre in Rob’s name as the project takes a step forward in its development.
The family of the former Leeds Rhinos legend have been “blown away” after seeing the designs which have exceeded their expectations of what the centre could look like.
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Rob, from Pontefract, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in December 2019 and shared his journey over the years.
Since he was diagnosed with the condition, the father of three has been raising awareness and funds to support others living with the disease.
Now a huge fundraising appeal is underway to raise £5m towards the specialist centre in Leeds.
Initial plans for the centre include a central courtyard garden, large internal rooms with plenty of natural light and ample shared spaces for patients and their families and carers to relax before, during and after treatments.
The physical features were high on the wish list of patients and staff who were consulted as part of the planning for the centre
Lindsey Burrow said: “We’re absolutely blown away by the designs that we have seen, it has certainly exceeded our expectations of what this centre could look like. For us, parking, accessibility and bright open spaces were the most important aspects, and it’s exciting to see that this centre will offer so much more. We’re really pleased.”
Claire Lang, Specialist Lead Nurse said; “It has been really positive to see the first initial plans for the new centre and to really start to visualise what this will mean for our patients and those who support them.
"The centre will provide one location where people can experience holistic and seamless care, where we come to them and support them in a comfortable and inspiring location away from the challenges of their condition.
“We’re looking forward to the larger spaces that can accommodate wheelchairs and in seeing the possibilities that good technology can have on quality of life. Since this condition is relentlessly progressive, MND patients have complex changing needs and the new centre will be able to adapt to these.”
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Day Architects, based in Manchester, regularly work with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and have supported the campaign to build a new MND care centre by working on the concept designs.
A consultation with staff, patients, their careers and the Burrow family has been taking place over the past four months to gather ideas and vision that will go into the building of the new centre.
Craige Richardson, Director of Estates and Facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said; “This is a fantastic project for Leeds Teaching Hospitals to be involved in and we’re thankful to the Burrow Family, to Leeds Hospitals Charity and many others, for spurring this on to make it happen.
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“We’re investing the manpower and infrastructure to support the realisation of the new centre and envisage that it will be a flagship centre for care provision for the North that sits within our greater vision for care in Leeds, a great new building and service alongside The Building the Leeds Way project to build two new hospitals in Leeds.”
Next steps:
Announce a site location
Finalise clinical and building brief
Complete fundraising
Build begins
So far over £1.5m has been raised towards the centre including a large proportion that was contributed by Kevin Sinfield's The Mile Challenge. There are more fundraising efforts underway.
If you would like to donate towards the Rob Burrow Centre, click here.
