04 January 2012
Challenging Roof-top Extension to Cardiac Catheterisation Unit
Award-winning off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, has delivered a challenging project to double capacity of the cardiac catheterisation unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, on time and on budget - its second project at the hospital for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.
This involved adding a new storey on to the roof of the existing unit that was provided by Yorkon in 2004, which has doubled the size of these life-saving heart facilities, and represents a significant £4.5m investment in service delivery for the Trust.
The project was phased to maintain use of the existing facility throughout and to keep any disruption to service provision during the construction works to an absolute minimum.
The 24-module extension was installed using a 350-tonne crane and the operation was carried out over a weekend to further reduce any inconvenience to staff and patients. The project also included changes to patient flows and extensive reconfiguration works to the existing laboratory suite, as well as the provision of stairs, lift, and an adjacent modular corridor.
The building has provided a range of purpose-designed facilities including a second catheterisation laboratory, clinical support areas, control room, preparation and recovery rooms, consulting and examination suites, offices, reception and waiting area.
Commenting on the project, Manu Shah, Lead Capital Project Manager for the scheme at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, said, "This was a complex project and Yorkon performed very well throughout. The installation phase went smoothly and the building was completed to the high standards expected by the Trust. The expanded facility has been welcomed by both clinicians and patients who are benefiting from a building that has been specifically designed for this service.
"Speed of construction was a key issue for the Trust in order to have the new facility up and running as quickly as possible. The Yorkon off-site approach is much faster than traditional site-based building methods. It also requires much less space for construction, which was critical on this site as the cardiac unit is almost fully enclosed by other buildings so there was little room for the storage of materials, plant and equipment."
"The second cardiac laboratory suite is now enabling us to provide life-saving cardiac services locally to more people."
By expanding both the unit's capacity and the range of cardiac services available at Lister Hospital, far fewer people need to travel to other hospitals for specialist cardiology treatment. It has also increased efficiency, with better care being provided for patients needing help in an emergency, as well as those with planned treatments.
The roof-top extension was installed with partitions, mechanical and electrical services, windows and doors already in place to reduce time on site by around 50 per cent. It is targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good' environmental rating.
Yorkon is part of the Portakabin Group.
Editor's Notes
The advantages of off-site construction for healthcare projects include:
- Constrained sites with little or no access can be developed, including completely enclosed courtyards and roof-top extensions
- Programme times reduced by up to 50 per cent, allowing earlier completion with a positive impact on patient care
- Reduced disruption to patients, staff and the local community during construction
- Material wastage reduced by up to 90 per cent
- Up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site
- Safer, quieter and cleaner construction
- Improved quality and reduced future maintenance
- A high level of design flexibility internally and externally
- Buildings can be expanded without decanting
- Improved thermal efficiency for lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions
- Greater cost control.
