NHS Property Services (NHSPS) is delighted to announce the upcoming opening of the Magna Medical Centre, a state-of-the-art health facility set to transform healthcare delivery in Norwich. The £11 million investment will bring essential health services closer to the community, providing comprehensive care to thousands of patients. 

The government-owned organization has played a crucial role in the development of the Magna Medical Centre, leveraging its expertise in project management, procurement, and construction of healthcare facilities. By supporting the NHS in delivering high-quality healthcare environments, NHSPS ensures that patients receive the best possible care in modern, efficient, and sustainable settings. 

The building has been developed by the Darwin Group and will serve as a one-stop shop for patients' health needs. Features include modern consultation and examination rooms, community areas, district nurse facilities, and shared spaces for NHS colleagues. This environment is designed to support healthcare professionals in delivering excellent patient care. 

The Darwin Group has used modern methods of construction, with building structures manufactured offsite using volumetric modules. This approach reduces material waste, minimizes environmental impact, and allows for rapid construction.  

In terms of sustainability, the centre will feature upgraded insulation, triple-glazed windows, air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and LED lighting to enhance thermal performance and reduce energy consumption. Magna Medical Centre will achieve an A+ energy performance rating and operate at net zero carbon, resulting in lower utility bills and minimal environmental impact. The project also aims to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification. 

In the first week of February 2025, members of Hoveton & Wroxham Medical Centre, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England, NHS Property Services, and local councillors toured the site to witness the progress.  

Paul Higham, Associate Director of Estates at NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “This Medical Centre is a key part of the necessary infrastructure needed to deliver improved integrated health services to the growing community in the Rackheath area and help to meet patients’ needs for healthcare services now and in future. The Medical Centre will help to transform how health and care services are delivered, bringing services closer to where people live, enabling more joined-up care and supporting residents to access information and wider services.”   

Barry Clark, Major Projects Construction Lead for NHSPS said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress being made on the project, and we are proud to be able to play a key part in unlocking value for our NHS colleagues by supporting the completion of this fantastic health hub for the local community."   

Nick Dawe, Managing Director at Darwin Group, said: “It’s not often so many stakeholders get to see the progress of a project in this way. We’re delighted to host a first look tour for this project to give local leaders the opportunity to see the benefits of using modular construction methods, to deliver patient care effectively while also enabling healthcare facilities to operate in a net zero carbon way.” 

“This facility will ensure the NHS in Norfolk can meet the needs of the community now and in the future because it brings together multiple primary healthcare services. The construction of this health centre housing key health services will create a one-stop shop for patients making accessing healthcare easier and more convenient, while also being sustainable.” 

“Darwin Group construction methods used to create this building have meant that the time taken to build is vastly reduced from traditional construction methods so patients in the community will benefit sooner.”