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Media Release
West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Wins Two National Awards
Released: November 5th 2009
The acute admissions unit at Watford General Hospital has won two prestigious building industry awards for its groundbreaking healthcare project. The off-site construction of the new Acute Admissions Unit (AAU) – the UK's largest AAU - is now one of the best performing emergency care services in the country.
Commenting on this award, Sarah Wiles, Director of Strategy and Infrastructure said: "We are absolutely delighted the AAU has won these two building industry awards. The design of the AAU has always been impressive and it is extremely gratifying that this has been recognised. These awards are very special to us as this is the first time the Trust has won building industry awards.
"The AAU is pioneering a new model of care for emergency cases, with rapid assessment and consultant-led diagnosis. It is now among the best-performing emergency care services, with one of the lowest re-admission rates in the country."
Constructed as part of a £25m ProCure21 contract awarded to Medicinq Osborne, the new building for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust was manufactured and substantially fitted out off-site by Yorkon in a £12m contract. This reduced the build programme by around six months and minimised disruption to patient care on a very busy hospital site.
The off-site approach enabled manufacturing and fitting out to begin before demolition works had been carried out on site. This parallel working reduced the programme by around 50 per cent and allowed the existing hospital site, a postgraduate teaching facility, to remain in use for much longer.
The building was craned into position at the rate of ten 14m-long modules per day in less than four weeks for the final stages of fitting out and commissioning.
The unit provides 120 beds for emergency admissions, two cardiac catheterisation laboratories, diagnostics including x-ray, ultrasound and CT scanning; a new hospital pharmacy with robotic dispensing, and a roof-top plant room. The building is finished in wedgewood blue with contrasting white render and grey aluminium cladding for a contemporary appearance.
Ends
Notes for Editors
The advantages of off-site construction for healthcare projects include:
- 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
- fewer vehicle movements to site
- safer, quieter and cleaner
- 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 and reduced material wastage
- consistent delivery on time and on budget.
Off-site construction involves the manufacture of steel-framed modules in a controlled factory environment, using production line technology, whilst the foundation works are completed on site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in just a few days ready for the final stages of fitting out.
For further press information please contact the Press Office on 01923 436282.
