The brand-new St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch, Essex, brings together a wide range of health and care services under one roof. To meet the high standards required for such a busy facility, over 5,000m2 of world class flooring products from international interiors specialists Gerflor was specified, alongside Gradus entrance matting and stair nosing’s as a complete solution for the healthcare community building.
Gerflor’s notable contribution to the project included their highly specialised Mipolam EL7 permanent dissipative flooring along with Taralay Impression Compact heterogeneous floor coverings, as well as Tarasafe Ultra Safety Vinyl. These innovative products were installed throughout the building, covering areas such as clinical spaces, consulting rooms, the dialysis, and renal units, as well as toilets, bathrooms, showers, corridors, and stairs.
Entrance flooring and stair safety were also a key consideration for the project, to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff. To compliment the specification and provide a complete solution to the End User, Gradus supplied their Mat-in-A-Box entrance matting system and a range of XT stair nosings.
The St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub houses a GP practice, outpatient, and mental health services, and provides access to blood tests, MRI, X-ray, CT, and ultrasound scans. The modern, purpose-built facility operates seven days a week and also includes children’s and community services, educational spaces, a community café, and a dementia-friendly garden.
Planning and funding were made possible through a collaborative effort involving health and care partners over several years. The project received planning approval from Havering Council in 2022 and was backed by £17 million in government funding alongside £21 million from North-East London partners.
Flooring Solutions Built for Purpose
Key to this iconic project was the need for a comprehensive range of flooring solutions that would future proof the facility for many years to come. St George’s Hub had stringent requirements for finishes that would deliver outstanding durability, optimum hygienic, and safety. Flooring was a critical component, and in this case, Gerflor and Gradus were able to deliver a complete solution tailored to the technical and safety requirements of the specification, whilst meeting the aesthetic needs for the Trust.
Chris Pursey, Gerflor Key Account Manager for Healthcare, recalled the early stages of involvement:
“Nicola Lucas of Northeast London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) approached us after being shown a vinyl flooring option that looked far too clinical. After several meetings, both on-site and via Teams, we presented a range of finishes tailored to each area, this included woodeffect designs for corridors and communal spaces, and safety flooring for clinical zones. Once the Trust was satisfied with the proposal, we worked in collaboration with the Flooring Contractor to see the project through.”
The project success was accelerated with the involvement of Loughton Contracts, specialists in major commercial flooring contracts, who brought their extensive expertise to the project. With over 30 years of experience and rigorous adherence to ISO management systems, they ensured a seamless delivery. They worked in harmony with both the Trust, Gerflor and Gradus to bring the design vision to life and perfectly executed the project on time and to budget.
Project Manager Lucian Munteanu of Loughton Contracts explained,
“Due to the nature of the project, we concluded that Gerflor and Gradus were the right manufacturer for the specification and that they offered the necessary products that best met the design and performance brief for St Georges Healthcare Hub. The products would deliver longevity, safety, and optimum hygiene benefiting patients, staff, and visitors. Our team of four to six fitters was on-site for about six months, and the installation went smoothly, thanks to the quality of the products.”
Dan Bowen, Specification Sales Manager, commented,
“We have been working with Loughton Contracts for many years, and they are a trusted flooring contractor we closely collaborate with. They have delivered an outstanding installation at the St Georges Healthcare Hub, using our world class Gerflor and Gradus products.”
Lucian Munteanu further added
“We’d absolutely specify Gerflor and Gradus for similar healthcare projects. I’m also thankful to Dan Bowen, from the Gerflor specification team for his continued support throughout. The project was delivered on time, on budget, and our client is extremely delighted with the results.”
A Successful, Collaborative Build
Dr John O’ Moore, GP Partner at St George’s Country Park Surgery, which moved from its previous Upminster Bridge location, shared his enthusiasm: “We were excited to be the first service to open at the hub. After 20 years at our old site, the move into this purpose-built premises has allowed us to offer a more spacious and integrated environment for our patients. We are pleased with the interior finish which is welcoming and comforting for the local community users of this much needed Healthcare Hub.”
The hub’s design also reflects a commitment to community wellbeing, providing spaces for voluntary and community groups, a multi-purpose education centre, and a communal garden designed with dementia-friendly features.
Dr O’ Moore further added:
“Many people worked incredibly hard to bring this project to life. We’re extremely grateful for the support and collaboration that made it all possible from all involved.”
Chris Pursey concluded:
“This project is a remarkable example of Gerflor and Gradus working together in partnership to deliver a full, specification-led solution that meets all the performance criteria required by the Trust and its Users.”