This transformation involved administrative areas in the hospital being cleared and converted into ward areas in order to accommodate potential COVID-19 patients. Physical modifications were made to parts of the hospital to ensure good infection control throughout, such as installing additional sinks and replacing carpeted areas with non-porous finishes.
NHSPS maintained the current set-up to deal with the second wave and also to manage “winter pressures”, the usual flu epidemic during the cold months.
Since its opening in 2008 Brentwood Community Hospital has offered state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient facilities, with health services to the local community such as antenatal and dental treatments, rehabilitation and therapy. It also acts as a local base for children’s services, midwives and community nurses, providing a wide range of essential services to the local population.
On behalf of Billericay, Brentford and Wickford Primary Care Trust, Kajima’s challenge at the time was to replace an existing 1930’s building with a new facility providing advanced healthcare standards as well as to deal sensitively with the local wildlife and ecology issues. The hospital was designed to maximise views and lighting and to enhance the relationship between the different departments and maintain smooth circulation around the hospital.
Kajima Partnerships’ Asset Manager Naseer Ulla has been overseeing the Brentwood project for the past 9 years, supporting the NHS to deliver excellence in their frontline clinical services through improved efficiency and strategic building repurposing.
Currently, Naseer and Kajima’s Asset Management team are working with all of the project partners including FM providers Integral and Interserve, and funders Barclays, to support the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS PS to effectively respond to the pandemic.