Future maternity, neonatal and gynaecology facilities at Kettering General Hospital

Update on our plans 

Kettering General Hospital is committed to providing high-quality maternity, neonatal and gynaecology facilities for our patients, families and colleagues. 

We had planned the Rockingham Wing extension as the first phase of a wider redevelopment of our maternity, neonatal and gynaecology services. The extension would have provided more spacious, modern accommodation as an initial step towards replacing and improving the wider Rockingham Wing, as well as helping us to address some of the challenges following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in 2024. 

Since then, projected costs for the extension have increased beyond the funding available to us from the NHS, and delivery timescales have extended beyond those originally planned. We have therefore paused the project and are taking the opportunity to look at again at how best to deliver the overall redevelopment, so we can best deliver the facilities our patients, families and colleagues need for the future. 

We are currently considering two principal options through the NHS business case process: 

  • a purpose-designed new-build facility KGH site
  • the Rockingham Wing extension, followed by the phased demolition and rebuilding of the existing Rockingham Wing. 

Both options provide different routes towards our overall ambition of delivering modern maternity, neonatal and gynaecology facilities at KGH. 

A new-build option could provide an opportunity to bring our maternity, neonatal and gynaecology services together in modern, purpose-designed facilities, with greater flexibility for the future. This, alongside the original extension option, will be considered through the business case process. 

No decision has yet been made on a preferred option. 

The work already undertaken on the Rockingham Wing extension project provides a strong foundation for this next stage. We will continue to involve colleagues, patients, families and other stakeholders as the options develop. 

There is no change to our maternity, neonatal or gynaecology services while this work takes place, and we will continue to invest in and improve our existing facilities where possible. 

We will share further updates as our plans develop. 

What happens next? 

We are now developing and assessing both options through the NHS business case process. As this work progresses, we will continue to involve colleagues, patients, families and other stakeholders and share regular updates. 

Our ambition remains the same: to provide high-quality maternity, neonatal and gynaecology facilities that meet the needs of our patients, families and colleagues - now and in the future.

The previous Rockingham Wing extension plans

A significant amount of work was undertaken to develop the Rockingham Wing extension, which was planned as the first phase of the wider redevelopment of our maternity, neonatal and gynaecology facilities. This included input from clinical colleagues, patients, families and our bereaved parents' group. 

The plans included a new Special Care Baby Unit, Bereavement Suite and 32-bed maternity ward, and planning permission was granted by North Northamptonshire Council in February 2026.  

This work will help inform the development of our future plans. You can find out more about the previous extension plans below. 

Basement 

The proposed basement was designed to accommodate the majority of the building's services, including a plant room. 

Ground Floor 

The proposed ground floor was designed to house a Special Care Baby Unit, providing intensive care services for newborn babies and three parent overnight stay rooms. 

It also included a Bereavement Suite with private gardens. 

First Floor 

The proposed first floor was designed to include a 32-bed maternity ward for antenatal and postnatal patients. The plans included four-bed bays and single bedrooms, all with en-suite toilet and shower facilities. 

Roof 

The plans included some air handling equipment on the roof, positioned away from neighbouring properties and screened by louvred fencing. 

Gardens 

The plans included landscaping designed to provide privacy for patients and neighbouring properties, as well as pleasant outside spaces and views for patients and visitors.