The Solution
Flexibility around a changing NHS landscape: By re-working the scheme, the team undertook enabling works first, the fractures department refurbishment and the installation of the temporary modular waiting room – all three of which were key phases to unlock future areas of work. This trend continued throughout the scheme, with temporary ambulance bays installed as well before the bigger extension works took place.
Patient-first planning: Keeping clear lines of communication with multiple stakeholders was vital – from liaison with the air ambulance and blue light routes, to having conversations with ward matrons, Infection Control and the Trust’s Health and Safety Team to discuss how and when works would take place, through to mitigation of disruption and to providing confidence to the clinical team that their service would not be affected by the works. This patient-first communication mantra helped to successfully progress works whilst keeping everyone updated.
Applying innovation to services complexity: The mechanical and electrical elements of the works were amongst its most complex. Aside from the challenge of connecting into many of the main districts on site, during excavation works for the extension, it became apparent that the level of unmapped services buried in the ground was extensive.
