Making it all
When it opened in 1852, Great Ormond Street Hospital became the fi rst dedicated children’s hospital in the English speaking world. Currently undergoing a massive redevelopment, Rob Shepherd reports on how NG Bailey is employing the latest technology and installation techniques to provide state-of-the-art facilities for one of London’s greenest buildings
W
hen Dr Charles West opened the doors of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in 1852, there were a total of 10 beds. At the time infant mortality was high,
child malnutrition and epidemics of diseases such as cholera were rife and the capital was in desperate need of somewhere that could offer the best possible care for its ill children. Since those humble beginnings, GOSH has become a world-renowned authority for the welfare and treatment of children and for the quality of the teaching that takes place there.
Learning curve A culture of learning and professional excellence has always been a key part of GOSH’s activities. West published the fi rst manual on children’s nursing in 1854, lectures were arranged in the 1860s and the fi rst nurses to take written professional exams did so in 1878. The hospital now trains a quarter of all the paediatric nurses in the country and is seen as a leader in its fi eld. Funding is important, and GOSH has always had
well-known friends and supporters. Charles Dickens wrote about the hospital and gave fundraising readings, and a tradition of royal patronage started with Queen Victoria. Famously, JM Barrie gave all the rights to Peter Pan to GOSH in 1929. Since then it has received royalties
26 ECA Today March 2011
better
every time a production of the play is put on, as well as from the sale of Peter Pan books and other products. Barrie requested that the amount raised from Peter Pan should never be revealed, and this has been honoured to this day.
Four to the fl oor GOSH is currently undergoing a major redevelopment in order to maintain and advance its position as one of the world’s leading centres for paediatric care and research. Many of its inpatient wards, housed in a building built in the 1930s, are increasingly unsuitable for the treatment of seriously ill children. The redevelopment plans for the site are split into
four phases. Phase 1 was completed in 2006 at a cost of £88m and saw the opening of new clinical facilities, a patient and family hotel, and improved outpatient facilities for services within the neighbouring Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. GOSH is currently midway through Phase 2A of the
redevelopment programme to rebuild two thirds of the hospital. This includes work on two buildings, and the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building is currently the focus of attention. Due to open in 2012, this building will form part of the Mittal Children’s Medical Centre and will allow GOSH to treat up to 20 per cent more children than it does currently.
About the author
Rob Shepherd Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist who has worked in the electrical contracting industry for over 10 years, most recently as editor of Electrical Contracting News.
Plan of action The main contractor for the redevelopment, BAM Construct UK, had already worked on earlier phases of the project. Richard Gregory, CEO at BAM Construct UK, says: ‘Once completed, this project will provide great new facilities for patients and be an exemplar of sustainability, helping to meet existing and future environmental targets. The team has been able to strike the right balance between cost-effectiveness, considerate construction and sustainability to deliver the exceptional healthcare facilities envisioned by GOSH.’ NG Bailey has worked with BAM on many other major projects across the UK and was invited to tender for the Phase 2A contract, along with two other companies. After
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72