Project: 60 bed mixed-use ward building
Client: Mid Cheshire NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Leighton Hospital, Crewe
The challenge
Built in the 1970s using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), Leighton Hospital is one of several hospitals identified by the Government as needing to be rebuilt.
As part of the project, an existing staircase between two live hospital wards had to be demolished. This was to facilitate the construction of a new linkway back to the existing Hospital. The build was further complicated due to the need for a mains cold water service diversion underneath the footprint of the site.
Our solution
We designed a 60 bed, two-storey ward building featuring a mixture of single and multi-bed bays. This was complemented with ancillary accommodation including utility spaces, storage and staff areas, as well as a specialist physiotherapy space.
To minimise disruption to the busy hospital site, we installed all of the modules across a single weekend.
The area where the staircase had to be demolished was located between two live wards. We acoustically shielded the work area to minimise disturbance and ensure health and safety for site operatives. We also successfully delivered the water service diversion overnight to minimise the impact for patients and staff.
The building is clad in a non-combustible rockpanel boards designed to reflect the colours of the NHS and complement the surrounding site, whilst maintaining fire performance above and beyond the requirements of HTM 05-02. Sustainability is also a key feature, with a well-insulated building envelope, use of air source heat pumps and a roof-mounted PV array contributing to an EPC ‘A’ rating.
The finished building, which was officially opened by Health Minister Lord Markham in August 2023, has been well-received by staff and patients alike.
GIFA: 2,000m2
22 weeks on site
60 beds across 2 wards
Linkway installation
Overnight service diversions
EPC 'A' rating
Air-source heat pumps
Solar PV array
HBN / HTM compliant
