The UK’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) is set to open in Nottinghamshire, run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). This £105 million, 70-bed facility will provide specialist rehabilitation for patients recovering from life-changing illness or injury, offering earlier access and more intensive treatments.
Co-located with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) on the 365-acre Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough, the NRC shares facilities including hydrotherapy, gait labs, virtual reality environments, X-Ray and MRI suites. The estate itself is a rehabilitation asset, featuring a trim trail, hand-cycle track, fishing lake, and golf course, with every patient bedroom offering uninterrupted views of the countryside.
The NRC houses the most comprehensive robotics suite in the NHS, including devices to help patients regain mobility and function, and the first 360 degree hoist in Europe for realistic movement training. The digitally advanced facility features real-time location technology, intelligent bedside screens, and a silent nurse call system, enhancing patient safety and independence.
Funded through the government’s New Hospitals Programme, the NRC is the NHS’s first operationally carbon neutral building, incorporating solar panels and air source heat pumps. NUH has developed a bespoke workforce and training to deliver the centre’s transformative clinical model, supporting patients to reach their full potential during recovery.
Patients will benefit from research and innovation led by the NRC, alongside education through the NRC Academy in collaboration with 26 universities across England. The centre will pioneer new treatments and aim to become the national hub in a “hub and spoke” rehabilitation model, with regional units extending its impact.
Anthony May, NUH Chief Executive, said: “We are proud to open this pioneering facility. The difference the NRC will make to patients and families cannot be underestimated. Innovation, research and knowledge generated here will develop rehabilitation nationally and internationally.”
Miriam Duffy, NRC director, added: “The impact of timely, effective rehabilitation lasts a lifetime. Our dedicated staff will work with researchers and innovators to give patients back their independence and quality of life. This is just the beginning – we aim to revolutionise rehabilitation across the country.”
Mark Preston, Chair of the Black Stork Charity, added: “The NRC promises huge benefits, returning people to work and life while improving the national workforce and economy. We will ensure this approach is extended across the country.”
Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said: “This state-of-the-art facility will transform care for patients needing specialist rehabilitation, showcasing innovation, digital technology, and compassionate NHS care.”
Delivered by Integrated Health Projects, the NRC represents a global benchmark for patient-centred rehabilitation, sustainability, and clinical innovation.