Darwin Group to deliver new COVID-19 facility for Welsh Government

Published: 5-Oct-2020

New modular facility will replace stadium field hospital to provide surge capacity for coronavirus patients

Modular construction specialist, Darwin Group, will build the new Lakeside Wing at University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff as part of a £33m project led by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Following confirmation of funding support by the Welsh Government, the Shropshire-based firm will deliver a temporary surge facility to ensure sufficient capacity for patients in the event of second spike in COVID-19 cases.

The temporary U-shaped modular building will be located at the area outside of Lakeside and follows the decision taken by the health board, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, to decommission the Principality Stadium as a COVID-19 field hospital from this autumn.

Work is already underway on the new project, with Darwin Group on track to deliver the Northern wing of the building as part of the development’s first phase by as early as 25 November, owing to the company’s modern methods of offsite construction.

Following the completion of the Southern wing of the short-term surge facility, Darwin Group expects to hand over the keys to UHW for the entire modular building by early February.

The temporary facility will accommodate up to 400 beds – which is in addition to 200 beds that have already been developed across the health board’s acute hospital sites, meeting COVID-19 requirements set out by the Welsh Government.

Charles Pierce, managing director at Darwin Group, said: “We are fully aware of the impact and importance of this facility and how crucial it could be for the potential COVID-19 patients it may aid.

“We live in uncertain times and we understand the need to act quickly at a time when it is needed most.”

Geoff Walsh, director of capital, estates and facilities at the health board, added: “Although construction is moving at pace and we’re working to a tight schedule, every decision is made with our patients’ and staff members’ safety in mind.”

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