The new unit will provides emergency medical care and treatment without the need for hospital admission, allowing patients to be assessed, diagnosed, and treated on their day of arrival. Morgan Sindall was appointed by James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH) and the development was procured via the Pagabo construction framework.
The project saw the hospital’s existing fractures clinic transformed into an SDEC unit, with the creation of a new reception area, clinical area, 12 chair bays and eight bed bays, a drug preparation room, and three nurse stations within the existing hospital building. The hospital’s fractures clinic was relocated to a new base on the hospital site.
In order to minimise disruption during construction, clinical hoarding was installed to segregate the area and a noise monitor used to ensure that acoustic levels did not exceed a set limit. A communication process was also implemented to provide clinicians on the wards above with a direct link to the construction team, enabling them to request that work be paused to accommodate sensitive clinical situations or end-of-life care.
The project team also refurbished the garden’s seating area, replaced the paving slabs and the pergola, repaired some damaged guttering, and put in new plants while ensuring that any plants and items donated in memory of patients weren’t disturbed.
Alister Broadberry, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Eastern Counties, said: “Delivering a project of this complexity within an active hospital environment requires more than just technical skill. It demands a significant amount of sector expertise and an incredibly close collaboration with the client.
“By working with the clinical teams, we were able to maintain an accelerated 24/7 pace while remaining completely adaptable to the immediate clinical needs of the hospital. Thanks to this approach, James Paget Hospital’s new Same Day Emergency Care unit was ready on time and to the high standard the clinical teams expect.
“I’m also proud that we simultaneously capitalised on every opportunity we could to support the local community and the patients we are building for.”
James Paget chief operating officer Charlotte Dillaway commented: “The aim of our new SDEC unit is to give our patients quicker access to the care they need, while reducing pressure in our Emergency Department and ensuring that beds on our wards are available for those that need them.
“The project was completed on time and at pace to ensure it would be operational by the winter, with the new unit created in space vacated by our orthopaedic outpatient services department, which is now based in new modern accommodation on the hospital site.”