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Project: Acute Medical Unit
Client: Wye Valley NHS Trust
Location: Hereford County Hospital
The challenge
To cope with rising patient numbers, Hereford County Hospital urgently required a new permanent Acute Medical Unit (AMU). Wye Valley NHS Trust instructed Darwin Group to create a fast-track 24-bed ward, complete with five four-bed bays, four single-bed rooms, nurse bases, utility rooms, clinical disposal rooms, a pharmacy and associated ancillary spaces.
Darwin Group provided a full turnkey service, acting as both principal designer and main contractor in a project that took just 12 weeks to build. An accelerated design and construction period meant that Darwin Group was formally appointed in September 2018, and the ward started accepting patients by December of the same year. The fast turnaround was achieved thanks partly to Darwin Group’s extensive team of inhouse design specialists who met the accelerated pre-construction programme, whilst significantly reducing the potential for professional design fees. The AMU building has dramatically changed the way the Trust works for the better.
“It’s been a huge effort to open this ward in such a short space of time and it’s been amazing to see the enthusiasm of staff as we prepared for the opening and now that the new ward is up and running… our patients tell us that they really appreciate the care they are receiving on the new ward.”
Lou Weaver
Acute Care Matron
Hereford County Hospital