Architecture & construction
published on how A&E departments should be configured, for instance by ECIST (the NHS Emergency Care Intensive Support Team). Thus, while we set off and produced a design based on user requirements, their existing department, and thinking, over the intervening two years thinking has changed. We have thus had to look at redesigning some parts of the building, even to the extent that we were completing Phase 1 while still designing Phase 2. This has not just happened once, but has been an iterative process. “Returning to the sort of company we wanted to work with,” Paul Fitzpatrick explained, “we looked at using ProCure21+. However we wanted to market test more widely than that framework then allowed, and there was no time pressure to start on site. We thus went out using an ECC form of contract which ‘borrowed’ many of ProCure21+’s benefits, and then went through an OJEU to market-test. From that route we saw interest from many of the ProCure21 and ProCure21+ contractors. As a result of that process, we selected BAM as our preferred partner.”
I asked the pair how well they felt the project had progressed? Paul Fitzpatrick answered: “Extremely well. While we have had issues to contend with – for instance re-redesigning some sections of the building, and some complexity around maintaining existing services – the team has worked closely together to minimise the impact. Importantly, also, to cater for changing demands and service delivery models in the future, there are a variety of examples of parts of the building being future-proofed.” Rob Bailey said: “We have already talked about the critical care unit. Here, the bulkheads we have used will make it much simpler when we go back in to create the single beds. We have effectively future-proofed the whole of the CCD so it can be 100 per cent single bedded.” “Another example,” Paul Fitzpatrick added, “is the ground floor Acute Frailty Unit, which has drainage and a wall structure that will allow its adaptation to create either single beds or ward areas.”
The patient benefits What, I asked Paul Fitzpatrick, would be the biggest patient benefits of the new UCAT facility? “On the ‘Majors’ and Trauma side,” he explained, “much better space and fitness-for-purpose of the accommodation, allowing the clinical teams to ensure that both patients and their families are comfortable, and that the staff can do their best for patients encountering extremely stressful and clinically challenging situations. On the Ambulatory and ‘Minors’ side, we will have a more welcoming environment that reduces the stress levels of patients and
44 Health Estate Journal September 2016
An ‘as constructed’ photograph of the new Majors Reception area.
staff, and gets the patients seen in an efficient way, and sent home in the shortest possible time, but after the best possible experience.” Rob Bailey said: “Not long after we handed over Phase 1, I spoke to Angie Slade, the matron in A&E, and she told me violent outbreaks caused by the ‘pressure pot’ situation in the existing A&E area have almost disappeared in the now much bigger, brighter, and cleaner-looking space provided. Paul Fitzpatrick added: “Indeed in the months following the completion of the Phase 1 scheme, our Friends and Family test results for A&E were significantly improved.”
Open plan ‘Majors’ Rob Bailey explained that the ‘majors’ bays will be open plan at the front, but with solid walls in between, affording good observation, but also privacy and dignity. They will also be arranged around central nurse stations to optimise observation. Paul Fitzpatrick went on to say: “We have set out to create a sort of flagship focal point for the hospital. We have tried to create that visually, as well as clinically. The existing A&E didn’t particularly stand out.”
Striking ‘coppery’ look Rob Bailey explained that the UCAT Centre’s front façade and much of the perimeter would incorporate Renelux steel rainscreen panelling, giving the exterior a ‘striking coppery look’. He added: “We also increased the height of the covered canopy at the ambulance entry point, and, with the building located on a fairly gentle incline from the road, and the incorporation of LED lighting into the front façade, the new centre should have considerable visual appeal when you approach it. We hope it will be a local landmark.”
The exterior also incorporates a granite finish to the inner rounds of the feature doorways and feature entrances, a black Inca brick from Weinerburger, and curtain walling façades and glazing. Rob Bailey added: “There are also very modern coloured window surrounds in bold
colours; much of this is attributable to the flair of the architects, IBI. Paul Fitzpatrick said: “As part of the scheme we have redesigned the main hospital entrance and the access routes around A&E, which were previously regularly congested with buses, cars and ambulances. The main hospital entrance is now to one side of that area. Having a dedicated ambulance entrance to A&E improves flow and access for ambulances entering and leaving the site.”
Helipad’s proximity He continued: “We are also about to commission a helipad directly opposite the new building, which will enable us to take patients on trolleys straight in. We believe it will be one of the most accessible ground-level helipads in the NHS.” As our discussions closed, Paul
Fitzpatrick added: “Turner & Townsend has done an exemplary job in maintaining staff engagement and working with the contractor and the Trust’s various user departments to ensure that everyone has stayed fully engaged, right up to arranging staff open days. Prior to Phase 1 opening last June, we had 800 staff attend an open day. Our aim will be to do similarly with Phase 2 and Phase 3. Eight hundred staff is 20 per cent of our staff population, so to get that number of personnel together on one afternoon was quite an achievement.” Rob Bailey concurred: “It was great to get that level of staff engagement; it means a lot to users to ensure that we deliver the facility in the right way, and that we can all walk away proud on the completion of the job.” Paul Fitzpatrick added: “At the peak of Phase1, BAM had up to 150 people on site at at any one time, and lots of good relationships have been built up and tested. It’s also really rewarding when you can get the level of positive feedback we have had from staff. Many of the staff involved have never done this before, and probably never will again. They valued our input and help with taking them on a journey, and we in turn value their commitment to getting the new building right.”
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©BAM Construction
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