Project: Acute Capital Programme – Inverclyde Royal Hospital And Royal Alexandra Hospital Infrastructure Review
Client: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
PSCP: Kier Construction
Value: £400k
Delivery Model: Frameworks Scotland 2
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) appointed Kier Construction through Frameworks Scotland 2 as its Principal Supply Chain Partner (PSCP) to deliver this review. The initial tasks under the commission were to identify the condition of the internal and external fabric of the buildings, together with the estate infrastructure. The non-intrusive surveys looked at the physical condition of the assets, statutory compliance and environmental management. Surveys were carried out to Level 2 (Block Level) in accordance with the NHSScotland Property Appraisal Manual prepared by Health Facilities Scotland.
At all times Kier was aware that the hospitals were ‘live’ and their methodology proposed a solution that would maintain business continuity for patients and staff, whilst maintaining the patient experience and ensuring that the surveys were carried out in a safe and clean manner.
The surveys and output report had to be carried out over a very tight timescale, from December 2014 to March 2015. Consequently, programming and planning were essential to successfully delivering the project. Kier split the commission up into four phases, namely:
• Due Diligence
• Review
• Survey
• Report
The Due Diligence period was used to assimilate all available information on the current condition of the two hospitals, to better understand what information was available for each element, its currency and its depth. Kier also established a project room at each of the hospitals to be used as a base for the team and a repository for information.
The Review Period was spent identifying what surveys were required and preparing methodologies and programmes. In discussion with the local estates teams, Kier reviewed risk registers and agreed permit to work systems whilst ensuring that the surveys were carried out in the most efficient and economical manner ensuring no detriment to the patient experience and operation of the hospitals. Refurbishment and Demolition asbestos survey requirements were also identified ahead of starting the surveys.
During the Survey Period, hospital business continuity was maintained with health and safety, HAI-Scribe and absence all managed through proactive collaboration between the estates team and the Kier survey teams.
The final phase, the Report Phase, saw the Estate Asset Management System (EAMS) updated on the NHS 3i system with the findings of the surveys. In addition, a detailed report for each hospital was prepared and submitted to the Scottish Government (SG) via NHSGGC. This was to assist the Government in apportioning funds for the planned upgrade and refurbishment of the two hospitals.
Since completion of the surveys, NHSGG&C has instructed two ancillary projects at Royal Alexandra Hospital, namely the upgrade to an area of the Maternity Block to allow the relocation of Ward 18 and an upgrade of the labs to allow the installation of new track systems for processing blood supplies.