Published date: 30 December 2020
Transformation of void space for new urgent treatment centre
Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay, Kent
Background
Customers: League of Friends and Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
Challenge
Space at Queen Victoria Memorial Community Hospital was not being well utilised. During a multi-stakeholder meeting, it was decided that we should use void space in the hospital to deliver a new urgent treatment centre to support the Primary Care Network and align with East Kent Clinical Commissioning Group’s longer term strategy to extend primary care service offering.
Solution
We undertook an options appraisal which was reviewed by Kent and Medway CCG and STP and the decision was made to utilise the former orthotic building which was currently vacant.
Design and costings were agreed and the conversion was undertaken by Oander, the appointed management contractor.
The orthotic building was where things like insoles where produced so it had a semi industrial feel. We had to internally alter the layout to make the building fit for the new purpose.
The total cost of the scheme was £190k of which there was a contribution negotiated and agreed with the League of Friends of £100k.
Works began in April 2020 and were completed July 2020. COVID impacted the original delivery date due to material and movement restrictions.
Impact
The vacant block was transformed into a service designed urgent treatment centre with six bespoke clinical rooms, reception, staff admin space, a rest room and welfare facilities. Disabled facilities were also relocated and incorporated into the completed design.
As work started over the summer 2020 with COVID-19 presented unexpected challenges to delivery and delayed occupancy. Despite of the challenges of 2020 all parties were delighted with completed building. The medical team moved into the newly refurbished Urgent Treatment Centre during December 2020 and have been treating a steady flow of patients since then.
The local team worked closely with League of Friends along with the CCG to deliver this project in line with service requirements and patient needs, adding value to our healthcare property interests.
Customer feedback
On behalf of the League of Friends I would like to thank you and David for the many hours that have gone towards the successful outcome. The building has been resurrected to become another useful asset to the healthcare of the Herne Bay residents and beyond.
Gillian Fowler, League of Friends
