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Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre
The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. © Fira
Typology: Rehabilitation | Location: Loughborough
A specialist facility for the rehabilitation of injured armed forces personnel continues to set the standard for landscape-led healthcare design with a new national facility for civilians.
The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) is a cutting-edge facility in the UK providing rehabilitation for injured armed forces personnel. Its development was driven by the vision of the late Major General Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster, who saw the need for a world-class rehabilitation centre and led the fundraising efforts. His aim was to improve the services offered at Headley Court, the UK’s previous military rehabilitation centre, by building to the highest standards and integrating advanced medical technology with a therapeutic, healing environment.
Philanthropic efforts and location
The DMRC project was built on the Stanford Hall Estate in Leicestershire, selected for its central location, accessibility, and proximity to major hospitals. The estate’s 360 acres provided peaceful surroundings that would align with modern rehabilitation approaches that emphasise the role of nature in healing. Fira’s role has been continuous for the last 15 years, from site selection, master planning and detailed design for both the armed forces and civilian-focused phases of the project.
The dual purpose: military and civilian components
The DMRC, which opened in 2018, replaced the centre at Headley Court and serves as the primary rehabilitation centre for the armed forces. It provides advanced services for serious injuries, including trauma, amputations, and neurological care. Rehabilitation is not limited to physical recovery; the centre offers psychological support to help service members reintegrate into society, whether they return to service or transition to civilian life.
In addition to military-focused services, the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), which serves civilians, is under construction. The NRC will build on the expertise established at the DMRC, through the same state-of-the-art techniques, to treat civilians recovering from trauma, serious illness, and neurological conditions.
Design and landscape
The DMRC’s design emphasises a holistic approach to recovery. The architecture and landscape were thoughtfully planned to enhance healing by incorporating green spaces, walking trails, and access to nature. These elements play a crucial role in the recovery process, particularly for mental health and wellbeing, aligning with the growing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of nature in landscape design.
Collaboration with clinicians and patients during the planning and design phases ensured that the environment supported both physical and psychological recovery. The centre’s focus on mental health is essential, considering the psychological impact of traumatic injuries and the importance of holistic care in rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation facilities
The client user group meetings revealed a spectrum of clinical requirements for external spaces, resulting in the creation of a variety of passive and active rehabilitation areas, all tailored to address each department’s nuanced brief.
A series of private courtyards were designed as extensions of internal clinical spaces to support specific aspects of rehabilitation, such as balance and proprioception. Within these spaces, elements such as steps, ramps, low walls, and textural variations within paving are all utilised for physical rehabilitation and the development of ‘back to life’ skills.
Horticultural therapy facilities and informal, private counselling spaces were also created to provide safe spaces for patients to come to terms with their injuries in a calming and stress-free atmosphere. The wider parkland site provides further opportunities for more active patients to participate in sports-based rehabilitation.
Future prospects and collaboration
The DMRC and NRC will share resources, infrastructure, and staff to provide efficient, world-leading care for both military personnel and civilians. The DMRC’s development marks a significant advancement in the UK’s rehabilitation services for military personnel and the planned NRC will extend these services to civilians, creating an integrated healthcare facility that serves the nation. By uniting military and civilian rehabilitation under one roof, the DMRC will set a new standard for care in both the military and national healthcare landscapes.
Jane Findlay FLI PPLI and Victoria Phillips CMLI are Directors and Andy Webster CMLI is an Associate at Fira
