A SPECIALIST neuro, stroke and spinal injury centre is one step closer to being shortlisted for a design accolade.

The Gateway in Middlesbrough, which has been selected for the ‘final jury' session, is up against 43 other buildings nominated from across the world competing for the World Architecture News (WAN) Healthcare Award.

The facility, part of healthcare group Keiro, was designed by Stokesley-based healthcare and residential specialists P+HS Architects.

Keiro’s chief executive Boda Gallon said: “Architecture in health and social care has a duty to engage with the public and push the boundaries of design within the built environment, to challenge people’s aspirations and improve their health and wellbeing outcomes. We have achieved this at The Gateway with P+HS Architects."

The panel will judge entries on a number of factors including originality, innovation, form and special quality, sustainability and context, how the design has addressed the key elements of the brief and how it has enhanced conditions for clients and the wider community.

The shortlist will be announced on July 8 and the winning entrant will receive an award for their project. The remaining five from the shortlist and any other schemes that the judges deem suitable will be commended.

Situated in the Middlehaven area of the town, which is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration, the hospital stands next to Middlesbrough College and the new urban park.

Since opening in January, The Gateway has already won the Pinder’s National Healthcare Design Award 2014 for Best Care Facility - Younger Adults and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors North East Renaissance Awards for Community Benefit and Project of the Year 2014.