London & South East

A new cardiac centre for Luton & Dunstable Hospital

Improved recovery facilities and a significant upgrade of services has proved to be just what the doctor ordered, as work on the new cardiac centre at Luton & Dunstable Hospital nears completion.

The £4 million project will see the refurbishment of the existing building in order to create a fully functional cardiac catheterisation laboratory, two clinical rooms, a six-bed recovery ward and three single-bed recovery rooms.

Main contractor for the project is Medicing Osborne and the architect is P+HS Architects. The mechanical and electrical consultant is Couch & Perry Wilkes LLP and the structural consultant is AKS Ward.

Works began on site in August 2011, when a number of internal structural walls were demolished in order to create space for the new catheterisation laboratory. Following this, replacement walls were erected from steel, brick and block work in order to shape the layout of the new facility. Because the catheterisation laboratory is a working procedure room, the next stage comprised the installation of mechanical and electrical services to connect important ventilation equipment.

Additional work will include the installation of vinyl flooring and the complete fit-out of the building, along with a new reception desk, medical grade cupboards, storage facilities and desks for nurses.

Although external work has been kept to a minimum, a flat roof will be constructed to cover the courtyard.

Luton & Dunstable NHS Trust Capital Projects Manager, Ian Manning, said:

“It is great to see this project coming together and once it is complete, the services it provides will be very beneficial to the patients at Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Rather than having to travel to Harefield, Bedford or other hospitals in the region, residents will be treated locally – making the recovery process much easier for both patients and their families.

“Although we are slightly behind schedule as a result of working in an old building, work onsite is progressing well. One of the challenges of working with a building that was built over 70 years ago is that we unfortunately uncover problems as we go along, and these issues have to be addressed before we can progress further. However, I am confident that we will make this time up in other areas and successfully meet our target date.

“We are looking to achieve BREEAM ‘Good’ standard and are subsequently looking at ways in which we can minimise the environmental impact of the project. So far this has included the use of LED lighting in order to reduce energy consumption.

“This work is important for us and it is vital to the development of the hospital. However, this project has been designed to improve the lives of our patients, and this has been our main concern throughout.”

Luton & Dunstable Hospital has remained fully operational during the redevelopment scheme and continues to provide 24/7 care for patients.

The new cardiac centre is scheduled for completion in May 2012.

 

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