Overcoming obstacles to clear the way for new hospital ward
Radiology section redesign project’s particular issues
THE £2 million relocation of the interventional radiology department at Glenfield Hospital has been completed.
The new ward comprises recovery bed bays, day case bed bays, toilet and change facilities, utility rooms, a nurses’ station, control rooms and technical rooms associated with the equipment the radiology machines.
To allow the area to be reconfigured to the new layout required for the correct functioning of the ward, the space previously occupied by offices, medical records, corridors and doctors’ sleeping facilities was completely stripped out.
Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard was appointed by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to develop a Royal Institute of British for
Architects (Riba) Stage 3 outline design to a Riba Stage 4 detail design. S tephen Howe, director of building services and project lead at Pick Everard, said: “Reconfiguring any form of existing space can always present challenges, especially with mechanical and electrical elements, but when working in a hospital or healthcare setting it’s imperative to make sure everything is accurate so that specialist equipment will run properly. “With the ward needing to run treatment-critical equipment, the availability of an adequate essential and non-essential electrical supply was a challenge with this particular scheme.
“It was found that the nominated substation was nearing capacity and
would not have had the capability to support the proposed work without major upgrade works, which were managed by the trust directly.”
Working closely with architects CPMG, structural engineers Curtins and quantity surveyors RLB, Pick
Everard provided expert mechanical and electrical engineering services for the new ward.
The team produced a 3D model in order to coordinate the new services with the existing structure and pipework to prevent potential clashes and build problems during the construction phase.
A new steelwork frame was designed and installed to accommodate the new air handling unit for the facility.
It was also determined during the Stage 4 detailed design phase from site survey checks that the proposed internal routing of ductwork could not be accommodated, so was instead routed externally down the façade of the building from the roof air handling plant to the ground floor accommodation and into the required areas.
David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We are really pleased to have been able to support the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in continuing to provide top-standard healthcare services.
“Through collaborative working and communication throughout the whole project team, we have been able to create a department that provides a positive environment for patients and staff alike.”
Working in a hospital or healthcare setting it’s imperative to make sure everything is accurate
Stephen Howe