Client Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Sector Health
Location Essex
Value £6.5m
Galliford Try's Building Southern team used Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to deliver a fast-track 52-bed modular facility as part of the UK Government programme of A&E upgrades to tackle Covid-19.
Treating up to 100 patients a day, the new facility provides ward accommodation and supporting services set over three floors connecting to the existing hospital. The scheme provides a one-stop-shop designed specifically for same day emergency care, offering testing, x-rays, ultrasound, and drug administration to relieve pressure on other areas of the hospital.
The team delivered the works to a challenging programme of six months for partial handover and eight months for completion, providing additional capacity as early as possible during the pandemic. A close relationship with the client enabled us to mobilise early, undertaking detailed consultation with clinical teams to optimise design and delivery. Early surveys enabled an improved groundworks design, quickly switching to a piled solution to avoid deep tree roots and protect the programme.
A series of virtual meetings were held to optimise the design, including a revised drainage solution that saved over four weeks. Close engagement with the supply chain enabled advanced orders for steelwork to successfully secure the required production slots for all modular elements.
The works were delivered adjacent to a live A&E ward with zero disruption or safety incidents. The project was completed by the April 2021 deadline, with staff immediately reporting improved turnaround times and a vastly improved service for patients.
