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New Lighthouse Laboratory Facility Supports The Fight Against Covid-19 At Bracknell Healthspace

Earlier this year Procure Partnerships Framework Contractor Partners Morgan Sindall and Overbury completed a programme of refurbishment works on a COVID-19 Lighthouse Laboratory in the Bracknell Health Space, Brants Bridge. The £6.7m facility was designed to support the fight against coronavirus on behalf of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. WSP and GBS Architects also supported the scheme as Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers and M&E design.

The project was procured via the Procure Partnerships South East Framework.

Due to the urgency of the pandemic major design changes had to be accommodated during the construction phase to keep up with the fast-paced environment. Despite this challenge the project was finished on time and within budget. The new laboratory operates 24/7 and tests thousands of COVID-19 samples every day, collected from testing centres, care homes and houses across the South East.

As well as increasing testing capacity, the new laboratory has helped shape the Health Spaces future and create hundreds of jobs in the local community. It has been a tremendous achievement for Morgan Sindall and Overbury.

The facilities were built on the top floor of Bracknell Healthspace clinic across 25,000 sq. ft. Worktops, shelving and furniture were installed within the laboratories and the fit out included a new reception desk, kitchen, and walk-in cold store with bespoke shelving. A dedicated lift was installed to transport test samples to the laboratory. New M&E systems, AV and security provisions were installed throughout, and an IT room was built with connections to the existing ground and first floor comms rooms. The work also included new toilets, showers, and wash basins.

Regular communications with Bracknell Healthspace staff took place to keep disruption at bay so they could continue keeping the clinic operational. All traffic management, deliveries and power shutdowns were carefully coordinated with the clinic.

 

A representative at Overbury commented: “The atmosphere on site was fantastic as people were genuinely proud to be a part of the project and to support the NHS. It’s that feeling of pride that helped drive the project towards successful completion.

Delivering this project under the Procure Partnership Framework has been a success for Morgan Sindall & Overbury. The framework provides a collaborative and positive experience for all parties, leading us to promote it to other prospective clients. We look forward to working on future framework opportunities.

Morgan Sindall & Overbury, our supply chain and the client team worked collaboratively with great success to provide a quality fit out for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. It has been a tremendous achievement and we are very honoured to have played our part in the fight against coronavirus.”

Phil Osborne, Key Account Manager, Procure Partnerships Framework, Commented: “The Bracknell Health space Covid-19 Lighthouse Testing Facility was a fast track programme due to the urgency of the pandemic. As well as increasing testing capacity, the new laboratory will help shape the future and create hundreds of jobs in the local community. It has been a tremendous achievement and one that we have been proud to be part of working closely with Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.”


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