Project: Transitional Hospital Decant Space
Client: Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
Location: Sutton Cottage Hospital
The challenge
Sutton Cottage Hospital at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was first built in 1897. It has been developed in four stages, with the most recent addition in 1936. Issues like uneven floors and out-of-date infrastructure were limiting the accessibility of the building, which led to the Trust’s decision to undertake a significant renovation project at the site. Planned for 12 months, this project will see substantial improvements to the existing site for patients and staff.
It was clear from the start that the scope of works involved in the complete renovation project would cause disruption to service delivery and patient care, so the Trust conducted a review of the options available that could minimise disruption.
The team decided against a full closure of the site for the duration of the project, opting instead to work on the building renovations in two halves, allowing service delivery to continue throughout. This required moving half of the team out of the main building and into alternative accommodation so that one half of the project could be completed, before rearranging rooms and allowing builders access to the second half of the building.
Our solution
In June 2024, Darwin Group® was appointed to provide dedicated decant space to accommodate the staff and services that would be moved out of the main building. The full turn-key service provided by an On-Demand® solution from Darwin Group made it an easy decision for the Trust.
A variety of services run from the Birmingham Road site, now with access to an On-Demand facility. The additional space houses six consultation rooms, an admin room, and a dedicated staff welfare space, along with a reception and patient waiting area. Services on-site remained open with no disruption to care delivery, thanks to the On-Demand solution from Darwin Group.
The buildings are sited on a council car park adjacent to the permanent hospital site, so patients can continue to use the main site address, experiencing minimal disruption. Using council land meant that certain permits, plans and permissions were needed before the buildings were in place – Darwin Group teams supported the Trust with the applications and planning required to achieve this.
Patient access to the building is via a ramp, to comply with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements.
6x linked buildings
52 week hire period
HTM compliant
Ramp access
Clinical / non-clinical spaces
Consultation rooms
Reception / waiting area
Renovation support / decant
Highly cost effective
