A collaborative approach to creating new healthcare facilities in North Lanarkshire, which has transformed health services provision and access for people across East Kilbride, Wishaw and Kilsyth, has demonstrated how local communities can reap expansive benefits when locally-based, sustainably-focused supply chain partners are appointed.
All three construction projects were delivered with the help of Castlecary-based CMS Window Systems, which was appointed by main contractor, GRAHAM, to manufacture and install aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling for the three new-build facilities. Hub South West Scotland was ultimately responsible for delivering the new centres as part of a £48m investment programme funded by the Scottish Government.
Working to designs by Reiach & Hall Architects, CMS was contracted to provide a variety of building envelope elements manufactured using thermally-broken aluminium systems from Metal Technology. These ensured the finished complexes would benefit from the optimal combination of thermal comfort, energy efficiency, longevity and excellent visual appeal.
The new £23m Houldsworth Centre in Wishaw is a three- and five-storey complex providing NHS healthcare facilities alongside North Lanarkshire Council’s new housing office and library, a shop and café. Centrally located at the heart of the community, the building replaces the former Wishaw Health Centre and Wishaw library. CMS manufactured and installed all the aluminium curtain walling and side hung windows for this contemporary building.
In nearby Kilsyth, CMS worked alongside GRAHAM to provide aluminium curtain walling, windows and doors for the town’s new Community Health Centre. This £7.8m facility is around twice the size of the health centre it replaced in the town and represents a step change in the quality of the health care facilities and services available to patients locally. CMS played an integral part in delivering the high-quality internal environment due to the enhancement of the building layout through a two-storey courtyard and light well to maximise natural daylight within the building.
The third new medical centre built as part of the project is the £17m Hunter Health Centre in East Kilbride. Home to six GP practices, as well as a dental practice and a variety of other medical services, the 6300sq m facility features a large glazed central atrium space, intended to create a calming atmosphere and maximise natural light within the building. CMS played a key role in creating the four-storey building’s envelope, installing thermally-efficient units to regulate its internal temperature which keeps the Hunter Health Centre light and bright.
Stephen Anderson, who heads the aluminium division at CMS, said: “We were delighted to be involved with these healthcare building projects because they are hugely important to the communities around us. It was extremely pleasing to have secured the contract from GRAHAM to be part of this building programme, an appointment which contributes to our business success and ensures we can continue to provide more local jobs, including our large number of apprenticeships.
”Our finished products are designed to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings during their lifespan, including being fully recyclable at the end of their service life, which will undoubtedly benefit NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council in the long term.