Medway Maritime Hospital
Delivered for Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Project introduction
Lawtech undertook refurbishment works at Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent's largest & busiest hospital.
Challenges
Minimising Disruption
Ensuring that noise, dust, etc. was kept to a minimum as this could cause patients a great deal of distress.
The works by their nature create some noise during installation. Careful, considerate consultation was carried out to allow fine-tuning of the programme to allow the works to be carried out as efficiently as possible without impacting the day-to-day activities of a busy hospital.
Access Restraints
This is an acute hospital with a busy A&E and emergency department. The hospital has two large car parks and has traffic movements throughout the day all of which require careful planning for the erection of scaffold and the movement of materials.
Undertaking works in the 8 enclosed courtyard areas, with access to these involving the utilisation of hoists.
The creation of a suitable site office and wider site compound on a busy site where space is at a premium.
Healthcare Setting
Ensuring patients were kept warm throughout the cladding removal works.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic towards the conclusion of the works provided an additional challenge.
Solution / Our Approach
Removal & disposal of the existing cladding system
The existing cladding was based on a polystyrene core sandwiched in a decorated metal panel and had reached the end of its life expectancy.
Installation of a Eurobond panel system
A Europanel 125mm system by Eurobond was installed on rails and SFS with a powder-coated metallic finish.
Design and installation of fire breaks
The NHS employed Trenton Fire Ltd to carry out a fire strategy from which Lawtech were to design and install Siderise fire breaks (for which Lawtech are certified installers) and carry out fire stopping behind the cladding structure.
Providing access and logistics for materials distribution
Full scaffolding of all areas of the hospital requiring cladding renewal including gantries, loading bays, hoists and winches.
Customer Service Approach
Collaboratively with Medway NHS Foundation Trust, works were planned to take account of any sensitive times and areas identified during the consultation. Heaters were provided whilst the stripping of the cladding was underway to ensure patients remained at a comfortable temperature throughout the seasons.
The Site Liaison Officer had responsibility for notifying the hospital by completing their ‘Business Impact Assessment’ form a minimum period prior to the specific work task taking place to allow the hospital to make preparations such as relocating staff or planning clinical tasks to avoid any potential impact from the works. It was also agreed that she would provide the Trust with daily updates throughout.
