A window to a new world
ARCHITECTURAL aluminium glazing specialist, Technal, in partnership with fabricators, Quest Solutions, has supplied around 1,500 windows for the new £250m Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. Pivot window systems from Technal’s FXi46 range were specified for ease of cleaning on the upper floors of the 88,000sq m hospital, which is part of a £311m PFI project for Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust. Fixed lights and top hung windows from the FXi65 suite were installed in the other areas. Fabricated and installed by Quest Solutions in a £2m contract for MPG Façades, the windows were inserted into cedar cladding, render, rainscreen panels and decorative brickwork, which provide different textures and colours for each elevation. Commenting on the scheme’s design, Keith Marriott, design manager at Balfour Beatty Construction, said: “The specification for the windows was for a high-quality, low-maintenance aluminium system and Technal’s FXi suite met all the design criteria for factors such as durability, security, energy efficiency, frame type and ease of use for patients and staff – and the systems are performing well.”
Hospital build time slashed
PROCURE21 partner, Kier Eastern, and Yorkon have worked together to reduce the programme for a major new building at Colchester General Hospital by around six months. The £20m scheme has taken advantage of Yorkon’s off-site building approach, which reduced the time spent on site to just 10 months. Designed by Tangram Architects, the building accommodates a new children’s department on the ground floor and an elective care centre and surgical ward on the upper floor, with plant rooms above.
The purpose-designed facilities include 68 inpatient beds, consultation and treatment rooms, nursing stations, two isolation beds, administrative offices, a school room, children’s dining room, utility room, stores, toilets and ancillary rooms. Nick Chatten, director of corporate development at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, said, “This project is the first phase in a programme of redevelopment at Colchester General Hospital. Speed was the principal reason for using an off-site solution for the building. We needed to have the new facilities operational in time for the busy winter period.”
New ward helps trust meet single-sex rules
This project sets the standard we aim to achieve in future developments at the hospital
A £2.4m development has opened at Scarborough District General Hospital, providing patients with a single-sex environment. In line with government regulations, Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust has opened Maple Ward, a 28-bed facility aimed at eliminating mixed-sex accommodation. The ward was built by Elliott Off-Site Building Solutions and has seven three-bed bays alongside seven single rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Additional facilities include a quiet room for patients, offices and a changing and rest room for staff. James Hayward, director of facilities, said: “This development has been designed to meet the most modern and exacting standards for NHS inpatient accommodation and represents another step towards the modernisation of the Scarborough site. The ward has been designed so that, in the future, we could construct a further ward on top, thus maximising the space available. This project sets the standard we aim to achieve in future developments at the hospital.”
Health centre opens in Barnsley
A NEW multi-million pound health centre opened in Barnsley last week. The Roundhouse Medical Centre will contribute to the regeneration of Athersley and New Lodge, bringing health services previously provided in hospital into the heart of the community. It will serve 10,000 patients from three GP practices - St Georges Medical Centre, Park Grove Practice and Dr Ali’s Surgery - and will also provide facilities for podiatry, health visiting, district nursing, child and adolescent services and a number of other community services. The building itself incorporates the latest energy-saving technologies and has achieved the highest standard for low-energy buildings. NHS Barnsley chairman, Tom Sheard, said: “The facilities provided by the Roundhouse Medical Centre will not only bring more health services direct to the community, but will be provided in a state-of-the-art building suitable to serving local people for years to come”
Work will enhance Winchester care home
CONSTRUCTION work has started on a £4.8m care home development in Winchester. The Leadbitter Group marked the start of refurbishment work at St Cross Grange with a turf-cutting ceremony attended by current residents and their families. An historic building situated in its own grounds on the outskirts of the city, the facility currently has 29 bedrooms, a dining area, large lounge, conservatory, library and patio. The improvements will see the addition of an extension to provide two new blocks. Existing buildings will also be given a facelift. David Cook, regional director of Leadbitter’s southern housing and construction division, said: “We are delighted to be undertaking this project which will enhance this historic building.” Kate James, chief executive of Greensleeves, which runs the facility, added: “The new home will have 64 fully en-suited rooms and greatly-improved facilities for our residents.”
ALSO IN THE NEWS:
Tarkett flooring is being used at the new £230m Pembury Hospital in Kent. The UK's first 100% single-room NHS hospital, the 512-bed development will feature more than 65,000sq m of iQ Granit vinyl and Safetred Dimension safety flooring.
Featured companies
- Companies:
- Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust
- Leadbitter Group
- Tangram Architects and Designers
- Scarborough General Hospital
- Mid Yorkshire Hospitals
- Tunbridge Wells Hospital
