client
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Size
800m²
building solution
Permanent
install Time
5 days
The Brief
South Tees Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust needed an urgent treatment centre (UTC) for James Cook University Hospital. The hospital’s 24-hour emergency department houses the major trauma centre for Middlesbrough and surrounding areas including Durham, East Cleveland, Tees Valley and North Yorkshire. The new UTC is a Trust priority intended to relieve pressure on existing emergency services and reduce waiting times.
The facility was needed quickly, and funding limitations meant that the most effective procurement route was used, ensuring best value along with rapid response and contract award. With the proven track record of Premier Modular delivering excellent facilities for the NHS and successful partnerships with contractors, the Trust decided to accelerate the development of the programme through a pre-construction service agreement.
Collaborative design
Premier Modular, P+HS Architects and Geoffrey Robinson worked together to design and deliver a three-storey UTC to provide a minor injuries and illnesses resource. The centre includes clinical accommodation for patients on the ground floor and staff rooms on the first floor. A plant room can be found on the third floor to accommodate all heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, as well as the storage and distribution of medical gases.
This stand alone building was designed to reflect the UTC’s needs and includes consulting rooms for the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses. On the first floor, a play wall was fitted to occupy children visiting the UTC. An undulating wall makes up a second design feature to improve spatial flow and create a calming environment for those visiting.
With a 2.7m ceiling height throughout and a ceiling void for all mechanical and electrical (M&E) services including ventilation, gas and oxygen, precision manufacturing was key. To ensure that all M&E services would fit seamlessly into the modular building, M&E providers, Geoffrey Robinson, worked with the Premier Modular factory prior to the installation of the building.
CHALLENGES
Installing the UTC presented several challenges, including working within a particularly constrained site. The three-storey building was installed between two existing structures, meaning that detailed planning and coordination was required. As a live hospital site, ensuring that ambulances and air ambulances retained clear access was a priority. The additional challenge of James Cook’s floodlit helipad also had to be considered to ensure helicopter arrivals could remain operational day and night.
Poor weather conditions including snow, sleet and rain posed installation challenges including frozen trailers and icy conditions that required extreme safety measures and precision. Due to the tight timeframe, there was no option to delay. The successful partnership between Premier Modular, crane provider, Mammoet, and transport provider, Musgrave Transport, meant that the building was installed to the deadline, despite the difficult conditions.
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