27 October 2014
Portakabin Hire Builds Fully Serviced 20-Bed Ward at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Less Than Three Months
When additional ward space was required at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow to help the Trust manage increased demand over the winter period, Portakabin Hire constructed a fully serviced 20-bed ward facility in less than three months and handed it over ahead of programme.
The building is on hire for an initial one year and in order to meet the challenging deadline for completion a partnership approach was critical. Portakabin worked closely with the Trust on the design of the new interim Short Stay Assessment Unit and final drawings were approved overnight.
Commenting on the project, Clive Austin, Project Lead Manager at the hospital, said, "We went out to a number of modular building suppliers and Portakabin was the first to ensure a handover date within our timescales."
"We were confident in the company's track record and that Portakabin Hire buildings met the required NHS standards. Its Crown Commercial Service framework agreement also allowed us to fast track the order."
"The new building is tremendous and everyone is delighted with it. It meets all permanent building standards and complies with NHS requirements, which means it will serve us well for as long as we need it. The staff are very happy working in this wonderful new facility."
"Portakabin worked with us around the clock to meet the deadline. Incredibly, this fully serviced facility was completed in just 10 weeks. The building was handed over three days ahead of programme - a remarkable achievement given the time constraints and scale of the building."
The gradient of the site required extensive ground works, including five foot foundation pads which Portakabin completed within just one week of receiving the order.
Portakabin handled every aspect of the build, giving the Trust a single point of contact for the entire project. Work carried out included all site works, installation of climate control systems, data communications, fire alarms, nurse call systems, bedhead trunking, medical gas services, automated doors, video entry, furnishings and a link bridge to connect the new ward to the main hospital.
The 747m2 building incorporates a mix of four-bed and single-bed ensuite rooms, a large reception area, nurses' station, shower rooms, kitchen, utility rooms, quiet room and stores.
This project illustrates how Portakabin Hire can deliver interim building solutions to help healthcare providers meet response times during peak periods, waiting list targets and while longer-term plans for expansion are progressed.
Portakabin Hire can deliver short-term solutions for ward accommodation, recovery suites, dialysis units, diagnostics, out-patient departments and treatment centres. All the hospital facilities are constructed to the latest healthcare standards, including HTM (Health Technical Memoranda), HBN (Health Building Notes), SHTM (Scottish Health Technical Memoranda) and HAI-SCRIBE (Healthcare Associated Infection System for Controlling Risk in the Built Environment).
For further information about modular healthcare buildings for interim and permanent applications, visit www.portanews.co.uk, email information@portakabin.co.uk or call 0845 401 0010.
Editor's Notes
1. The hiring of modular accommodation is a fast and cost-effective way for healthcare providers to expand ward and consulting facilities, particularly on constrained hospital sites.
Complete, fully-fitted buildings can be delivered in a fraction of the time of a site-based construction solution. Critically, buildings can be installed with minimal disruption to patient care and the solution is a much safer approach as fitting out can also be carried out off site.
2. Portakabin is a registered trademark which must only be used to refer to modular buildings that are known to have been manufactured by the Portakabin Group. Please note, Portakabin is not a generic term.
