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Minor Works – Procure Partnerships Framework continuing to support the NHS with Minor Works Projects

2020 has been a fantastic year for the Procure Partnerships National Minor Works Framework, we have continually supported our Public Sector Clients to deliver schemes from £50k right through to £4m. Since the Launch of the National Minor Works Framework, NHS trusts have found a framework that affords public sector clients with flexibility whist reflecting the market need for a strong minor works framework, with local contractors across England and Wales.

Robbie Blackhurst, Framework Director at Procure Partnerships Framework commented on the importance of minor works projects being delivered via Procure Partnerships: “The delivery of minor works is an important cornerstone of the Procure Partnerships Framework Delivery Offer. We’ve been delighted to support our NHS clients over the past 12 months and look froward to continuing supporting minor works projects for the remainder of 2020 and beyond.”

To view the contractors available via Procure Partnerships Framework click here.

Leeds General Infirmary – Cardiac Catheter Labs
Client: Leeds Teaching hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Value: £1.5m

Illingworth & Gregory are currently delivering Phase 1 of a 3-year scheme to refurbish and remodel the Cardiac Catheter Labs located in the Jubilee Wing at Leeds General Infirmary. These works are required to enable the installation of new state-of-the-art medical equipment; the scheme includes upgrading the engineering services serving the Labs to comply with the current statutory requirements and healthcare standards. The scope of the engineering improvements includes upgrading the mechanical ventilation systems, electrical services, and medical gases installation upgrades.

St James’ Hospital, Leeds – Refurbishment of blocks 55 & 57
Client: Leeds University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Value: £1m

Our contractor partner Illingworth & Gregory, part of Sewell Group is currently on site delivering a programme of works on behalf of Leeds University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Illingworth & Gregory are delivering the circa £1m refurbishment to both blocks 55 & 57 of St. James’ Hospital which in summary includes the Strip out of stair core finishes. Demolition works to form new entrances, removal of redundant services, reconfiguration of areas to form reception, offices, meeting rooms, labs, toilet facilities, and new ancillary space. The works also encompass the installation of a brand-new data network as well as updates to the existing fire alarm systems across 4 floors.

Illingworth & Gregory, a part of Sewell Group, was appointed via a single stage competitive tender through the £1-4m value band of The Procure Partnerships Framework Yorkshire National Minor Works Framework.

Our tender processes and timescales are available here.

Arrowe Park Hospital Stage 1 Recovery Unit
Client: Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Value: £450k

This project took place in existing areas which required significant remodelling and refurbishment and had multiple phases. The first phase was completed at the start of 2020 and was completed by our Contractor Partner, City Build. The works included the Extension of an existing Recovery Area to include 5 fully serviced Stage 1 Recovery Bays and the formation of new kitchen and unisex toilet. The works also included screening to the exiting waiting area to form Stage 3 Recovery Area having small power and piped oxygen.

Kendrick Wing Fire Damage Reinstatement
Client: Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Value: £1m

Procure Partnerships Framework contractor partner Whitfield & Brown is delivered a comprehensive programme of reinstatement works to the fire damaged Kendrick Wing at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Following a fire in March 2018, Whitfield and Brown were appointed as Contractor to deliver the internal reinstatement works of the wing, to enable it to be reopened in Spring 2020.

The project sees the ground and first floor of the Kendrick wing, within Warrington General Hospital, upgraded following the recent fire damage. The reinstatement works consist of a full internal refurbishment, to repair the fire damaged rooms and subsequent water damaged building, complete modernisation and a new internal specification to meet building standards.

Click here to learn more about the project.

Lee Bushell, Head of Capital Projects at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commented on the challenges presented by the job and the current environment: “Following a seamless procurement process through the framework, the works are progressing well despite numerous problems on site. Issues with asbestos, environmental cleans, cracks to floors and COVID19 have all threatened to derail the project. However, the project team and Whitfield and Brown have remained diligent and determined throughout to deliver the scheme as quickly as possible. The insurance policy made writing a specification difficult as the policy was a like for like replacement. The building at over 100 years old proved difficult and some deviation was required as well as lots of additional unforeseen works and costs to rectify the issues as they arose. Again, despite this, we have worked at length with Whitfield and Brown to minimise the impact in order to reach handover as quick as possible.”

Refurbishment at Park House
Client: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust | Value: £200k

Procure Partnerships Framework contractor partner Novus Property Solutions delivered the renewal of the main entrance and café area at the Park House Unit at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

A challenge encountered during project delivery was minimising the impact on a live hospital setting. The area of the hospital being worked on receives a high volume of patients and visitors to site and careful planning was essential to minimising the impact felt by service users, this was an essential element of the project.

Planning works were carried out during the night to mitigate against disruptions to the daytime operations of the hospital; this presented a second challenge, noise during the night. Works were carried out in very close proximity to overnight wards, noise had to be kept to the absolute minimum. The area was also within a crash route for emergency services, this required the Novus team to be ready to clear emergency routes with very short notice so as not to disrupt vital emergency services.

Peter O’Sullivan, Capital Projects Manager at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust commented on the project: “This scheme has ran well considering the live environment it is situated in and also the tight timescale of the program. There has been a good working relationship forged between the trust as the client and the main contractor Novus, this has enabled us to overcome the challenges that have arisen quickly and professionally. The refurbishment of this environment will have a massive positive impact for all the service users, staff and general public that will use this building so this scheme has been particularly rewarding, I would recommend Novus as a main contractor for any future projects.”

Click here to learn more about the project.