03 October 2012
Portakabin Launches Wardspace - A New Range of Hospital Buildings
Portakabin, the UK's leading modular building specialist, has launched WardSpace, a new range of options for standardised hospital buildings to help healthcare providers rapidly expand facilities to reduce patient waiting times and meet more stringent Government targets.
Portakabin WardSpace provides ready-to-use and fully equipped buildings for interim or permanent use which can be delivered very quickly, sometimes in just days, enabling hospitals to meet waiting list and response time targets and to manage demand for bed spaces during peak periods such as the winter months, and while longer-term plans for expansion are progressed.
The buildings are constructed to the latest healthcare standards, including HTM (Health Technical Memoranda), HBN (Health Buildings Notes), SHTM (Scottish Health Technical Memoranda) and HAI-SCRIBE (Healthcare Associated Infection System for Controlling Risk in the Built Environment).
WardSpace features a central core that accommodates a nurses' station, dirty and clean utilities, reception, waiting area, toilets and showers, and any other essential facilities. A choice of spacious open-plan single-sex wards, individual en-suite bedrooms or a suite of consulting rooms - or any combination - can then be added according to specific project requirements.
The specifications for the buildings can include hand sanitisers, NHS-standard bed heads, heavy-duty flooring, climate control, alarm systems and wall protection panels - or this equipment can be provided from the hospital's own stocks or preferred suppliers.
Commenting on this latest range of building solutions, Robert Snook, Director and General Manager of Portakabin Hire said, "Our aim with WardSpace is to make it even easier for healthcare providers to rapidly expand their facilities at peak times, for example when winter flu viruses cause a sudden increase in unplanned admissions, or to minimise disruption while a new permanent building is under construction. And we have provided buildings to the tightest deadlines, just days from receiving the order."
He added, "We have decades of experience in delivering healthcare facilities from wards and dialysis suites to health centres and hospitals so NHS trusts, architects and contractors can be assured that our buildings meet all relevant healthcare standards and we understand the issues. Modular construction is a fast and cost-effective way to expand ward and consulting facilities, particularly on constrained hospital sites where it is critical to minimise disruption to patients. Complete, fully fitted buildings can be delivered in a fraction of the time of a site-based construction solution."
"Choosing a hire solution also means that a building can be reconfigured or relocated as local needs and priorities change - and, importantly, the approach can generate revenue for the hospital that will help to recover the cost of hiring the building - to the benefit of patient care."
Portakabin WardSpace has already been used for a number of projects at Watford General Hospital and for Kent and Medway NHS Trust.
In addition to these buildings, Portakabin can meet any bespoke layout, fitting out or site requirements for applications such as ward accommodation, recovery suites, dialysis units, bariatric care, diagnostic centres, out-patient departments and treatment centres.
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.
