Fast-track ward refurbishment and reconfiguration within a live hospital

Lloyd Ward Refurbishment

Following successful completion of a previous project to improve Homerton Hospital's Accident and Emergency department, the same Pick Everard team was appointed to make an immediate start on this time-pressured project to refurbish an existing ward. Our brief was to improve the clinical environment and staff welfare facilities, focusing on how to enable a better flow of staff, patients and equipment through the available space.

Our team's in-depth knowledge of the hospital environment allowed them to work proactively with the estates team and clinical stakeholders to address the logistical challenges of delivering a construction project within a live environment. The completed project has delivered a more aesthetically pleasing and better functioning ward to benefit patients.

A key objective was to enhance patient, staff and equipment flow through the ward, requiring intensive engagement with clinical stakeholders to understand current issues and to design them out. Working within the confines of the existing Ward limited the scope to design improvements for better functionality.

This was further complicated by the limited timeframe we faced to complete designs and begin construction, meaning designs were require to efficiently and accurately completed quickly.

Intelligent approaches were adopted which improved the layout, utilisation of space, condition and aesthetic of the Ward. Flow of patients, staff and equipment through the ward was improved by introducing dedicated bays for the storage of specific equipment like trolleys. We purposefully placed the reception area at the entrance of the ward, enabling a more effective management of visitors upon arrival, ensuring they were greeted and directed. Similarly, a centralised staff welfare area enabled their efficient movement through the ward.

To complete designs efficiently, we attended site regularly to address any delay risks. Our team leveraged their knowledge of the Hospital and existing stakeholder relationships to complete designs within just three weeks to enable a timely start of works on site.

The refurbishment was to be delivered at the centre of a busy operational hospital. Transportation of construction materials and equipment was especially challenging. Sterilisation of items being transported in and out was also critical to meeting infection control requirements.

A key objective was to enhance patient, staff and equipment flow through the ward, requiring intensive engagement with clinical stakeholders to understand current issues and to design them out.

Having our team novated to the contractor allowed us to respond quickly to issues arising and to support with logistical planning; for example, we assisted with planning movement of construction materials to the ward, using sterilised containers.

Flow of patients, staff and equipment through the ward was improved by introducing dedicated bays for the storage of specific equipment like trolleys. We purposefully placed the reception area at the entrance of the ward, enabling a more effective management of visitors upon arrival, ensuring they were greeted and directed. Similarly, a centralised staff welfare area enabled their efficient movement through the ward.