AGH Solutions have won an award for their new modular build which includes a new intensive care unit (ICU) and additional ward, on site at Airedale Hospital.
The team won the Project of the Year category at the prestigious Health Estates and Facilities Management Association (HEFMA) awards for their £15m modular build project which uses the latest modern methods of construction. It includes the development of a 3500m2 new ICU and 30 bed ward at Airedale NHS Foundation trust, which is the first known all electric inpatient unit in the NHS. This is a pioneering project with excellent sustainability credentials. Alongside managing this project, the team also manage the significant remedial works needed in the older parts of the hospital which are built of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) panels.
The new modular unit will open in summer 2022 and will house a new 15-bed ICU alongside a 30-bed ward space. The new ICU provides much more space and the ability to increase the number of ICU beds if needed. The modern, light and airy design will improve the patient experience and help to maintain the highest standards of infection prevention and control. The new ward will offer a decant facility to allow other wards to be upgraded, minimising disruption to patients.
The modular building will be the first known all electric inpatient building. All heating and hot water will be provided from electric sources and all electricity supplied to the Trust is purchased from renewable sources so therefore the building will have an exceptionally low Carbon footprint and this is enhanced by the 3 air source heat pumps and 80 solar electricity panels on the roof.
Estates Project manager Richard Burgin of AGH Solutions says:
“I was delighted to accept this award on behalf of the whole team and am very proud of how much we have been able to achieve with a team that has only been together a year. The scale of the works we have undertaken is significant to say the least and everyone involved has risen to the challenge.”
David Moss, Managing Director of AGH Solutions said:
“At every step of the way of the project, the team has considered and identified solutions to maintain infection prevention, optimum flow and the best possible patient experience – taking a whole-hospital approach to planning and delivering their work for the benefit of patient care.
“In under a year the team has made some incredible progress and displayed excellent leadership. For the modular build we were given less than 10 months to procure, design and build a 3500m2 new intensive care unit and ward. To turn around a building in such a short space of time has been an amazing achievement.”
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will move into the new facility in the summer and Ward 16 – its current home – will be turned into a second decant ward. Using these two decant wards, a rolling programme of upgrade work will be undertaken, tackling 4-6 wards in the first year and continue until all wards have been completed.
Further information
AGH Solutions was created in 2017 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airedale NHS FT. It is responsible for delivering Estates, Facilities and Procurement Services for the Trust and other NHS organisations.
Winners of the awards were announced at a ceremony on 12 May.
