Hereford County Hospital

It was well documented that there was a shortfall of hospital beds in the Hereford area. Hereford County Hospital finally had the ability to increase capacity. But to do so meant working in a fully operational hospital with no disturbance to the other wards. It was also on a strict schedule and there was a requirement to follow essential infection control procedures.

Building Projects Group was contracted by Atkins Global for this multi-ward refurbishment. In addition to the strict infection control requirements, we had to adhere to the hospital's own major control charter. This included installing temporary partitions made from flame retardant Antinox sheets and double zip doors to segregate the building works from the main functioning areas of the hospital.

To add to this, we had to work around an isolated area being used to control an outbreak of the Norovirus bug. Only the team's implementation of enhanced management controls and procedures allowed the hospital to work to its safest maximum capacity. To maintain professionalism and safety of the working wards, all operatives wore regular clothing in the functioning areas of the hospital and changed into high visibility work gear once behind the partitioned areas.

It was a large-scale project that spanned across 30 weeks, but we completed on schedule and to budget. The attention to detail did not go unrecognised. The hospital trust was extremely impressed with the cleanliness and the extremely high standards of workmanship, and awarded a 'Going the Extra Mile Award' for health and safety procedures.

In fact, they were so taken aback by the work that they now use it as a showcase for other contractors. It is the gold-star standard for best practice that they expect going forward.