A newbuild 48-bed critical care building delivered to the prestigious John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, saw a range of facilities delivered including five storeys of bespoke volumetric modular accommodation.
Healthcare construction specialists MTX have provided Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with a 5,450sq m new critical care building, achieving a pre-manufactured value (PMV) of 54%. The new five-storey facility, now called Oxford Critical Care (OCC), was part of a regional approach for managing critical care demand and activity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to supporting and alleviating future seasonal and epidemic pressures for the Trust and its one million annual users.
Situated directly next to the hospital’s existing Trauma Department, the OCC connects directly into one of the main live corridors at ground floor level, proving a seamless flow between departments housing theatres and imaging and diagnostics facilities. Through offsite construction, MTX were also able to minimise disruption to the Trauma Department and allow for uninterrupted staff and patient access.
The use of volumetric modular construction, MEP services, virtual prototyping and speedy onsite installation minimised disruption to the Trauma Department and enabled uninterrupted staff and patient access 24/7. MTX’s platform approach, incorporating multiple MMC disciplines, quickly delivered this high-quality new hospital facility cost effectively, within budget and openly on time. MTX bespoke solutions are specifically created for medical and healthcare use, with advanced super-efficient mechanical heating and ventilation systems, which optimise clean air flow and meet clinical needs, in addition to reducing energy consumption and protecting the estates power capacity, all whilst minimising the carbon footprint.
The new OCC comprises 3no 16 bed wards across the ground floor, first floor and second floor, with dedicated plant room and non-clinical accommodation (seminar rooms, offices and spacious staff rooms) across the remaining 2 floors. The top floor dedicated staff area, boasts enviable 360-degree views of the Oxfordshire countryside, providing staff with a beautiful and calming training environment. Careful planning and logistics allowed the team to work out of hours to install and commission 148 modules to be safely and efficiently craned into place in just five days by the experienced on-site team. Through continuous and close communication with the client, the team were able to work meticulously and successfully deliver the project in the shortest possible programme as well as continuity of intensive patient care.
Significant logistical challenges included tight site constraints, maintaining access to the Trauma Building and main hospital, creating the foundations and installing the piling on a pronounced slope, and obtaining the Execution Grade 3 steelwork. MTX also had to address the exacting ventilation requirements of a critical care building, divert the water and gas services, create the new sub-station and associated electrical infrastructure, and subsequently ensure vehicular access, including for cranes of different sizes.
Through excellent collaboration and teamwork between the key project partners – the Trust’s clinical, estates, and projects personnel, architects IBI Group, consulting engineers DSSR and Hoare Lee, civil engineers Rossi Long and structural engineers Alan Wood, the scheme progressed smoothly. Lyn Bennett, Matron for Adult Critical Care and Clinical Lead Advisor Nurse for the new building said: “This is a fantastic new building which has been constructed to a limited budget. We have been able to incorporate advanced 21st century designs that, from experience, will enable the clinical team to provide efficient and excellent clinical care for patients while working in a modern, bright, natural daylit and person-centred environment. The design of the new critical care building has attracted considerable external interest, including from NHSE/NHSI and believe it will prove to be a landmark building.”
A combination of an extremely rapid design and planning process and strenuous on-site 14-hour working days, saw it take just 15 months to get the prestigious project from initial design to successful handover. This critical care building with such complex services requirements, would have taken up to three years to complete if traditional construction methods were used.
For more information visit: www.mtxcontracts.co.uk
