Ward Refurbishment at New Cross Hospital

Our team were appointed to advise on the full refurbishment of the Nucleus wards A12 and A14 at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. We were asked to produce a feasibility with options for adding single bed facilities with en-suite as well as looking at adding en-suite facilities to the multi-bed wards.

We also reviewed the whole ward area to streamline where possible the facilities and also looked at the interface with visitors so as to minimise the interface required by use of a single reception. The project was intended to set a baseline for all future ward refurbishments.

Challenge

The Trust wanted a friendly, functional and hardwearing space that could be adopted for future ward developments. The scheme needed to be developed very quickly, within a tight budget and required a close working relationship across the project team.   

During project delivery, the existing fire strategy presented an unplanned for issue. Although documents showed the existing strategy, it became clear as demolition work progressed that the existing walls and services did not comply. Our team had to amend the project plan without affecting the overall proposed strategy.

Solution

We designed the new en-suite and toilet facilities including showers to meet current regulations and worked with the Trust on the use of materials which were both robust and functional.

Key areas included the nurse bases and nurse stations, which required a robust construction due to previous damage that was occurring at sites across the Trust. Workstations were also allocated within the ward areas to ensure that staff were with patients and not isolated at the central nurse base.

Both ward areas were re-designed and it was key that the fire strategy was maintained and reviewed to ensure compliance with HTM05-02. RPS worked with the Trust fire officer to ensure this was the case producing fire strategy drawings and details. Our lift engineers also provided consultancy services from lift traffic analysis, project design and witness testing to handover.

As well as being visually appealing, it was important to bring the area up to current specification for the building services which included new fire alarm, nurse call, HCWS, ventilation, power and data as well as Medical gases.