Countdown to Completion at Barnsley CCU

After 12 busy months on site, the Barnsley CCU project is nearing an exciting conclusion and with the completion date edging ever closer, the contract, design and NHS Trust teams are working tirelessly in bringing this complex and challenging scheme to a successful close.

Back in December 2021, the existing office areas located within the footprint of the proposed works were to make way for the new state-of-the-art critical care unit that will become a landmark in Barnsley, offering the best possible patient care.

13 additional beds will be created, along with more space for each bed to meet the current and future demand for critical care,  as well as extra space to allow the Trust to deliver physiotherapy and critical care rehabilitation at the bedside in line with national health guidelines.

The scheme continues to receive the care and attention of the dedicated contract staff and this is the penultimate update before our countdown to completion begins.

Over the months, the teams on site have successfully navigated the £6m build programme through a doorway measuring just 2.0 x 2.0m. This small space has been the access and egress point for concrete, structural steel, aggregates, bricks, blocks, pipework, and miles of electrical cable that has all been carefully and sensitively coordinated with the NHS Trust teams to ensure the adjacent ward areas and essential hospital support remained functional throughout.

The main works completed to date have required a collaborative and no-nonsense approach from all involved, and the I&G subcontract teams have embraced the challenge, providing continued professionalism and sensitivity throughout the project to ensure minimal disruption to the wider hospital.

Along the way, there have been many challenges with access, weather, logistics and maintaining a safe and controlled front-of-house environment for the hospital visitors, patients, and staff. It’s been managed brilliantly by the whole team who have worked together in a positive and supportive culture.

Once the demolition of the courtyard was complete, and the new build brought to a weathertight state, work to the whole of the interior commenced. This required a joined-up and managed approach from the 50+ contracted staff across all trades. Their positive and team-focused approach has resulted in some fantastic relationships being forged.

I&G are extremely proud of the work progressed to date, from the initial groundwork operations bringing the external fabric up within extreme weather to the internal fit-out works where the plastering, mechanical and electrical trades have worked their socks off to ensure the scheme remained on target to completion.

Now we’re in December and just a couple of weeks away from Christmas, ‘Elf’ and safety remains a priority. The contract teams all continue to work collaboratively to ensure the latter stages of the project activities are carefully coordinated to maintain the excellent levels of safety achieved thus far.

Externally, the mechanical and electrical teams are completing the roof mounted service equipment to enable the commissioning period to progress. This has seen a monumental effort from all concerned in bringing this technically complex part of the project forward.

Internally, the flooring is installed, ceilings progressing well, and the decorators are cracking on with the wall finishes to create a welcoming environment that will eventually greet patients, staff and visitors to this fantastic facility.

Attention will now focus on the final commissioning and running in the period of the building services, as well as the final touches being made such as fitted furniture installation, final sealants, clinical clean and end-user engagement, including familiarisation tours.

“This scheme has come through a relatively short build period when considering the logistical and access limitations.

 

“The success of it so far is testament to the key subcontract, design and NHS Trust teams, along with the continued commitment of the I&G management teams who have all put their heart and soul into working through the various challenges faced along the way.

 

“We very much look forward to celebrating the successful completion of the facility towards the end of January 2023.”

In other news and on the back of the high Health & Safety standards maintained on-site by all members of the site team, we are delighted to have awarded our Paul Dyson and Ben Cusworth the coveted ‘I&G Blue Hard Hat’ award for their continued hard work and efforts in managing the extremely complex access and logistical issues around the contract works that extend a massive note of thanks to all of the subcontract teams who have contributed to the positive Health & Safety Culture whilst working on Barnsley CCU Project.

Well done everyone, keep up the momentum and thank you for your continued efforts.