Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham

Lawtech undertook the removal and replacement of rainscreen cladding at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, Kent’s largest and busiest hospital. ACM rainscreen cladding was removed and replaced with a non-combustible Eurobond system.

Scope of Works

• 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.

• Provide access and logistics for materials distribution – Full scaffolding of all areas of the hospital requiring cladding renewal including gantries, loading bays, hoists and winches.

Key Challenges

Given the nature of the building and its use, this was always going to prove a challenging project. Key challenges encountered on the project included:

• Undertaking works in the 8 enclosed courtyard areas, with access to these involving the utilisation of hoists.

• 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.

• 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.

• The creation of a suitable site office and wider site compound on a busy site where space is at a premium.

• The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic towards the conclusion of the works.

• Ensuring patients were kept warm throughout the cladding removal works.

Customer Service

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.