01.02.15
Improving your estate – for all stages of the patient pathway
Source: National Health Executive Jan/Feb 2015
Health and social care is undergoing the most intense pressures the system has ever known, with long waits for treatment in A&E departments and delayed discharges from hospital beds to community and social care. Michael Clarke of MC Consult, an independent consultancy firm, explores the issues.
The Scape Framework provides a unique solution for estate-related consultancy and construction issues, accessible by all care providers along a patient care pathway.
This full spectrum of delivery, to improve the quality of treatment at all stages of the patient care pathway, is illustrated by the range of projects described here.
Strategic review – ensuring the whole estate contributes effectively and efficiently to patient care
Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust commissioned Faithful + Gould through the Scape Framework in 2011 to provide support to their foundation trust application process.
Support included undertaking a full survey of all buildings within their property portfolio. This delivered an ‘enhanced six-facet survey’, which also gave a commentary on local planning policies, flood and asbestos risks and changing demographic needs.
This information has been included within the estates strategy submitted as part of the application process. The trust’s application has been approved by the NHS Trust Development Authority and is currently with Monitor.
A&E improvements – to reduce waiting times and improve the quality of treatment
In 2012, anticipating forthcoming winter pressures, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust determined the need to increase capacity and improve workflows in the A&E department at Maidstone Hospital by creating an Urgent Medical and Ambulatory Unit. To achieve this before the following winter, Scape was chosen as the vehicle to deliver to such a rapid timescale within a tight, fixed budget.
Pick Everard provided project management and quantity surveying services, whilst Kier Construction undertook the works. The works consisted of the full refurbishment of a former ward, paying particular attention to improving the fire precautions to modern standards. This had to be undertaken whilst maintaining the live environment of neighbouring wards and departments.
Roy Davis, head of estates, commented: “I would like to congratulate your team for delivering this complex project on time and to a high standard.”
Critical care – to increase capacity of departments and speed up transfers from emergency care
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is using the Scape Framework for a complex series of projects at St Mary’s Hospital Paddington, which involve joint working with Imperial College. The relocation of the college’s Paediatric Research Unit to a new location on the site will allow a two-stage expansion of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit on the eighth floor of the QEQM tower. At an overall value of £6m, Willmott Dixon will commence construction works in spring 2015.
Community hospital – to move patients out of acute settings and free up resources
Procured by what was then NHS South of Tyne and Wear, the Houghton-le-Spring Primary Care Centre includes a rehabilitation/step-down ward, outpatients, GP practice, radiology and minor surgery and is connected to the neighbouring leisure centre. The facilities were planned as part of the overall health economy’s push to treat patients as locally as possible and take recovering patients out of acute hospitals. It is modelled on some of the concepts of the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.
The only healthcare building ever to receive a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, it uses an innovative passive ventilation system, which has greatly reduced the energy consumption of the building. Built by Willmott Dixon at a cost of around £20m, the building opened in 2012.
Local councillor John Scott said: “I am over the moon with this facility. It has the wow factor.”
Sheltered housing – to return patients to their homes with ongoing support
In late 2014, Willmott Dixon Housing commenced construction of a further £3m unit at Riversdale Court in Birstall for Charnwood Borough Council. The existing 25 flats and bedsits will be refurbished and remodelled. Eight new units will also be built, creating a total of 29 one-bedroom flats which meet today’s standards. Two of the flats will be wheelchair friendly while the car park will also be expanded.
Cllr Jane Hunt, cabinet member for housing and regulatory services at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be upgrading these homes for our residents. This represents a significant investment for us. I am particularly pleased that we are helping to improve the quality of life for some of our elderly residents.”
How to access Scape
Scape is a public sector owned built environment specialist, which has developed and managed highly successful OJEU-compliant frameworks for estates consultancy and construction. Almost 500 public bodies already use Scape frameworks, including the Department of Health, NHS trusts, NHS Property Services, local authorities, universities and housing associations.
Over £5bn of capital investment has been undertaken over the last 10 years, with a major emphasis on ‘local spend’.
This has encouraged a continual reduction in costs, ever-increasing quality and has shaped an environment of collaboration and innovation.
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