Work has finished on the development of a £2.85m extension to the accident and emergency department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
A project team made up designers, Noviun Architects; Campbell Reith Consulting Engineers; Van Zyl and de Villiers; Ward Williams Associates; and national fit-out and refurbishment specialist, Willmott Dixon Interiors, has delivered a new Urgent Treatment Centre linked to the hospital’s existing A&E facilities.
The project was procured via SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading public procurement authorities on behalf of Brighton & Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust.
The two-storey modular extension will be a key resource in managing the very-high levels of demand for A&E services that the hospital continues to receive.
It contains five ground-floor treatment rooms, a new reception waiting room, accessible toilets, and a utility room.
There are also offices and a training/simulation suite on the first floor, a comms room, additional toilets, and multifunctional space for hot desking and small meetings.
Willmott Dixon Interiors completed groundworks, piling, and foundation works in preparation for the delivery of the building’s modular shell, which was manufactured offsite.
The firm also delivered an internal fitout of the building ready for clinical use, with all works carried out in a live hospital environment.
Graham Shaw, managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Modular construction is enabling us to deliver a faster and more-efficient build which minimises disruption for NHS staff.
“The new building will supplement the hospital’s existing A&E facilities, providing access to urgent treatment and additional clinical space, as well as supporting a better patient flow through all parts of the department.”
James Millar, deputy director of capital development and property at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This is a really-positive development that will ease pressure on the hospital, leaving other departments free to treat the most-serious cases, and is in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
Thanks to careful planning and partnership working, the A&E department remained fully operational during the building works.
“We look forward to patients experiencing the improved environment that this new facility can offer as part of the trust’s dedication to delivering the best-possible care environments across all our hospitals.”