George Eliot Hospital

Overview

George Eliot hospital required a new 30 bed ward for orthopaedic elective and general elective patients as part of the Trust’s five-year estate strategy. A high quality, HTM and DDA compliant building was required urgently, and with limited space on site the Trust were considering a multi-storey solution. 

The new hospital was agreed to be built as a single-storey solution and designed and built to RIBA Stage 3 as this could meet all the clients requirements.

Challenge

While the initial programme was 20 weeks, the outbreak of the coronavirus made the hospital’s requirement more urgent. By implementing longer hours and working weekends, the programme was condensed into just 14 weeks.

This was achieved despite the outbreak of COVID-19. Determined to deliver the project on time, Trefoil Interiors worked with subcontractors and the hospital to devise working methods
that would allow them to continue work on-site including strict social distancing measures. These new working methods were communicated through daily briefings and site signage.

The completed single-story building consists of 1000 sqm of gross internal floor space comprising 33 modular units. The fit-out includes hygienic cladding, slip-resistant flooring, bedhead trunking incorporating medical gasses, nurse call systems, access control and CCTV, fire escape ramps and nurse stations. Externally, the building is finished to match existing buildings on-site.

With the Trust’s long-term strategy in mind, the building has been designed to be able to accommodate additional storeys on top of the existing structure.