Rockingham Wing Extension

Artist impression of the proposed extension to Rockingham Wing

Why are we building an extension to the Rockingham Wing?

Kettering General Hospital has been awarded funding to build a new extension to Rockingham Wing.  The extension will provide a much better environment for our patients. It will be bright and spacious. This also gives us the opportunity to address the accommodation issues we have had following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in 2024.

We have appointed Integrated Health Projects (IHP) as our construction partner and hope to begin building work on the extension by Summer 2026 and complete the new building by Winter 2027. Read the initial story.

The background

Since 2024 we have been dealing with the impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the roof of Rockingham Wing. We have had to relocate services from the building to other areas of the hospital.  This has also delayed plans to upgrade our Special Care Baby Unit and Bereavement Suite. We have now received funding to construct an extension to the existing building that will help address these issues. 

Accommodation to be provided

The proposed two-storey building will provide on the ground floor, a new Special Care Baby Unit and Bereavement Suite, and a new 32 bed Maternity ward on the first floor. The Bereavement Suite is being designed with input from the hospital's bereaved parents group and Twinkling Stars Appeal. This is supported by the Northamptonshire Health Charity.

The extension will enable us to provide a much better care environment for our patients built to modern health care standards and will consist of:

Basement

To minimise the height of the new building the decision was made for the new unit to be sunk into the ground. 

The basement will accommodate the bulk of the buildings services including a plant room to prevent any noise impact on the surrounding site and neighbourhood. 

Ground Floor

The ground floor will house a Special Care Baby Unit providing intensive care services for newborns and three parent overnight stay rooms. It will also include a Bereavement suite, with private gardens.

First Floor

The first floor of the building includes a 32 bed maternity ward for both pre and postnatal patients.  This area is split into four bed bays and single bedrooms. All bedrooms all have en-suite toilet and shower facilities.

Roof

Some air handling machinery will be located on the roof, at the furthest point from our neighbouring properties and will be screened by louvred fencing.

Gardens

One of our key considerations has been the design of the buildings exterior and the landscaping to minimise disruption to our neighbours whilst providing a pleasing and private outside space for our patients.  This is most evident in the immediate boundary to the residential gardens backing onto the hospital site, this will be raised and planted to ensure privacy.  A garden area will be created adjacent to the new building that creates pleasant views for patients and visitors.

Aritist impression Rockingham Wing Garden 11.2.25.