East Anglia-based, Barnes Construction has been appointed by St Elizabeth Hospice to build a new community hospice facility in Gorleston.
The news follows on from St Elizabeth Hospice’s planning application submission, in June 2025, for the construction of a hospice featuring an outpatient and community hub that will support day care patients and provide therapy services, while serving as a base for local hospice staff. The development will also include a community café and an inpatient facility capable of hosting up to 16 beds.
Norwich-based architects, LSI Architects has worked alongside the hospice to design the facility, which will grow palliative care services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
Barnes Construction has, over their 45-year history, delivered numerous healthcare schemes. Of particular relevance are the new hospice facilities it has built for Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in Ipswich, Fair Havens Hospice in Southend, St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley, and ellenor hospice in Gravesend.
‘Important milestone’
Mark Hart is Joint Managing Director at Barnes Construction said: “Along with our fellow project team members, LSI Architects, Castons and Create, we are thrilled to be supporting St Elizabeth Hospice in delivering this new facility; an important milestone in the hospice’s development.
“The hospice holds a special place in Barnes Construction’s heart, as since our business was started in 1978 by David and Mary Barnes, we have had a very close involvement with the charity and the important work it does delivering specialist care in the community.”
The project will be built on a seven-acre site previously owned by East Coast Hospice, with whom St Elizabeth Hospice merged in 2023. It will also see the hospice partnering with the Louise Hamilton Trust as part of a united approach to deliver high-quality end-of-life services to the local community.
‘Make a real difference’
Judi Newman, St Elizabeth Hospice Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Barnes Construction to the project team delivering this much-needed hospice for the local community.
“Their expertise in building modern, high-quality hospices, that make a real difference, will be invaluable in helping us achieve our ambition of growing palliative care services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
“With LSI Architects, Castons and Create already part of the project, this is a real East Anglian-led alliance who will support St Elizabeth Hospice and our local partners to create a hospice that improves access to palliative and end-of-life care in Great Yarmouth & Waveney.”
The development of the community hospice facility will build upon and align with the hospice’s existing services in the area. It is hoped that construction will start on site in 2026 and the scheme is estimated to take up to two years to complete. To find out more or to donate towards St Elizabeth Hospice’s services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, please visit St Elizabeth Hospice.
