The £350m Grange University Hospital (GUH) in Gwent, South Wales, opened its doors to patients this week – four months ahead of schedule.
The ‘super hospital’ is a key component of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Clinical Futures Programme, which is transforming health service delivery across the region.
It opened earlier than planned in a bid to help the board respond to winter pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gleeds has acted as project and cost manager for the scheme, delivering the works in collaboration with construction partner, Laing O’Rourke; architect, BDP; and with engineering support from Aecom and WSP.
As work on the project comes to a close, I feel immensely proud about what our team has achieved – the provision of a fantastic facility, well ahead of schedule, and against the backdrop of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic
Having been approached by the health board at the start of the pandemic, delivery of several sections of the scheme was expedited to allow a partial opening in April, almost a year earlier than planned.
And, following the recent occupation of the remaining space, the hospital will now provide a centre of excellence to treat the region’s most-seriously-ill patients, or those with significant injuries.
It will also act as the emergency department (A&E) for everyone living in Gwent.
In the past, the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall hospitals have both provided these emergency medical services, but from this week these s will be centralised to ensure the very-highest standard of care is provided.
Victoria Head, Gleeds’ head of healthcare in the UK, said: “As work on the project comes to a close, and the building comes to life, welcoming patients and delivering first-class healthcare services, I feel immensely proud about what our team has achieved – the provision of a fantastic facility, well ahead of schedule, and against the backdrop of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our commitment to doing things differently has paid dividends, from a programme saving of 23% achieved through our use of modern methods of construction (MMC), to our pledge to collaborate with both Laing O’Rourke and the health board throughout.
The GUH has changed the rhetoric of how healthcare projects should be delivered; and we must take this template into the future
“The GUH has changed the rhetoric of how healthcare projects should be delivered; and we must take this template into the future, striving for better in the construction industry and to support our wonderful NHS, to whom we owe so much.”
Mike Lewis, Laing O’Rourke project director, added: “This project marks a pivotal point in healthcare delivery, paving the way for future hospital builds.
“Being involved in a hospital build is always a privilege, but the impact of COVID-19 truly galvanised everyone’s efforts.
The men and women charged with completing the hospital felt a sense of personal responsibility to achieve early completion.”