A series of building upgrade works are underway for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust at their Park House unit, located at the North Manchester General Hospital. The 38-week programme is being delivered by contractor Cruden through Lot 1 of the Procure North West Framework.
The project includes the removal of high scoring ligature items identified within the Trusts own Ligature Audit Report and includes important building upgrade works which will improve the overall environment and enhance patient security.
Park House specialises in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of adult mental health conditions. The overall vision and strategy at Park House is to provide a supportive and safe environment, protecting the service users sense of dignity and privacy to enable each person to return to their optimum health. The building upgrade works will play a large part in allowing the multi-disciplinary team to deliver this strategy. There is a strong emphasis on holistic care at Park House which is individually tailored for each patient and is planned and delivered in collaboration with each service user. The design of the new facilities had to reflect and support this approach, helping to reduce anxiety around patient admission and ensuring a welcoming environment for people from a range of backgrounds with differing needs.
The design by Day Architectural, incorporates a range of features to improve patient safety, including anti-picking mastic, recessed and concealed curtain tracks and flush wall and ceiling mounted electrical components within bedrooms. The existing old style Britplas windows will also be replaced and new sanitary ware is being provided with corridor isolation. Other works include new door sets to bedrooms, new decoration and flooring to heavily used areas, the refurbishment of several kitchens and the installation of a new fire alarm system.
An important element of the works is the installation of airlock entrance twin doorsets at the main entrance to improve security for patients and staff and to meet the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust compliance standards. New airlock single doorsets will also be installed to improve security between wards.
Robbie Blackhurst, Procure North West Director, said; “This is an important project for Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust and the works will greatly improve the facilities for patients and staff at Park House. A collaborative approach between the Trust, the design team and the contractor has been essential to ensure the overall design vision is achieved and to effectively manage the logistic and security issues associated with working within an operational facility. Delivering the project through the Procure North West Framework has allowed the Trust to benefit from additional support throughout the construction works and has ensured the whole team are focussed on achieving excellent value and a high-quality result.”
Managing the project whilst the unit has remained operational has been a key challenge. Main Contractor, Cruden has extensive experience working within live health environments and has demonstrated a critical understanding of how to successfully progress the works in line with the overall programme, without impacting the health professionals and service users on site.
Bob Miller, Cruden’s Contracts Manager commented; “Working on live wards in an extremely challenging environment requires daily liaison with ward staff to minimise disruption to the units running functions. We carefully plan all works and ensure we can offer a level of flexibility by implementing contingency plans and working out of sequence when necessary whilst still maintaining the programme. Our committed site team and trusted supply chain partners are key to the successful delivery on contracts such as this.”
The project is progressing well and is due for completion in September 2019.
Faye Dolan, an esteemed professional and Framework Director at Procure Partnerships, boasts a rich and diverse career spanning seven years in the construction industry. Faye’s journey within Procure Partnerships began in 2018 as a Key Account Manager, initially overseeing the North West region and later extending her purview to the entire North.
