MEDICAL GAS SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION
HEJ: “Who do you typically work with on a project like this?” SM: “For the Global Mercy ship, our main point of contact was Project consultant, Kim Lovick – an expert in healthcare planning.”
HEJ: “And what was his feedback?” SM: “Kim Lovick told us he had no hesitation when recommending our team for this project, commenting: ‘MIG’s attention to detail is second to none, and the team’s ability to overcome challenges when working with complex briefs is unparalleled.’ With the goal of the Global Mercy being to change lives, Kim added that ‘such an important vessel requires quality systems to allow its volunteers to deliver crucial, life-changing assistance’, adding: ‘MIG has gone above and beyond to ensure that these systems are in place.’”
HEJ: “As well as specialising in gas pipelines, can you tell us more about what the MIG team typically does for its clients?” SM: “While the installation and maintenance of gas pipelines is a specialist and integral part of any fit-out of a medical setting, it’s one element of many. Our project portfolio is varied, and ranges from full modular fit-outs for entire wards, to the refurbishment and upgrade of single operating theatres – normally turned around in a very short space of time in line with keeping the important medical proceedings running as normal, with as limited an interruption as possible. “This means that our team is fully immersed in a single project from start to finish, whether that be spending five months in Port Granadilla, Tenerife, for the Global Mercy ship installation, or throwing ourselves into transforming the Bangor University sports centre into a 223-bed field hospital in just two weeks during the pandemic.”
HEJ: “How many floating hospitals does Mercy Ships run? Is the Global Mercy one of many?” SM: “Since the 1970s, Mercy Ships has had between one and three vessels in service. It currently operates two floating hospitals – the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. The Global Mercy’s sister ship, the Africa Mercy, contains five operating rooms, a four-bed recovery area, intensive care for up to five patients, and 80 ward beds. It houses around 400 volunteer crew members from up to 40 nations. Acquired in the late ’90s through a donation, the former Danish rail ferry was refurbished specifically for its mission, and named the Africa Mercy in April 2000. “As part of our continuing relationship with Mercy Ships, we’re now beginning work on the Africa Mercy on refurbishing its existing medical gas pipeline system.”
One of six operating theatres on board the Global Mercy that MIG Medical connected the new gas pipeline system to.
HEJ: “Did Mercy Ships differ from your typical NHS/private healthcare client?” SM: “Every project is different. And that goes for Mercy Ships too, where – in addition to Kim, our key contacts included the Fleet Operations teams, and even the captain. For NHS/private healthcare clients, it might be architects that we work alongside to help bring their creative vision to life through bespoke, modular design and advanced surface finishes. It could also be contactors, where we would offer full involvement in the workflow to ensure compliant pipeline systems and modular turnkey solutions – delivered on time and within budget, every time. We often join the project at the very start of construction to make sure the design and installation of our solutions conform to all the required standards. “Sometimes it’s facilities management
providers to whom we offer flexible support across our specialist healthcare services. It could even be the healthcare professionals themselves that require our expertise in offering further support to staff and patients through enhancing the healthcare environment they work in. Or, perhaps, an M&E consultant, where we’d cover everything from supplying medical gas safely to dealing with planning restrictions. We understand the enormous electrical and mechanical challenges involved in the design of hospitals, and as specialists in operating theatre, medical gas, and clinical equipment, we work as a seamless partner to uncover, and deliver, the right materials and expertise for the job.”
HEJ: “And, finally, what are you working on currently/what’s coming next from MIG Medical?” SM: “As well as starting work on the sister ship to the Global Mercy – the Africa Mercy – we’ve been testing and
developing an exciting new product that will benefit those within the healthcare built environment, which we’re looking to present on our stand during Healthcare Estates 2023 in Manchester this month. “We’re also thrilled to have been
shortlisted at the Healthcare Estates IHEEM Awards 2023, for both Healthcare Supplier of the Year (twice in a row), and in the Refurbishment Project of the Year category for our work on the Global Mercy. We’re very much looking forward to celebrating amongst our team.”
Sam Mitten
Sam Mitten is Group director at MIG – ‘a pioneer of engineering, medical, and mechanical excellence’ – where he works on the delivery of strategic healthcare construction solutions. With a career in the medical gas industry that spans over 50 years, that has taken him from from Asia to the Middle East and Africa to work on specialist healthcare projects, he has a wealth of engineering knowledge and expertise in medical, and other gas pipelines.
October 2023 Health Estate Journal 83
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