Tag Archive: healthcare

1. £3 billion in funding for our NHS

   29th July 2021 9:43 am Comments Off on £3 billion in funding for our NHS

   A £3 billion hospital building programme was launched by the Health Secretary back in 2019. This new scheme proposed around 40 new hospitals built across England over the next ten years. This new investment also came in addition to the £33.9 billion increase in cash funding for the day-to-day running of the NHS being delivered by the government over the next five years. But what did it mean for the sector? And how did the pandemic impact the programme?

   I’m sure when this programme was announced the government didn’t account for a worldwide pandemic. Projects all over a variety of sectors had to slow down or stop all together. However, after over 15 months of ups and downs, things do seem to be picking up across the country. As we start to come out of the pandemic, this will be a big project for the government to get back to as part of their build back better pledges.  

   Six of the hospitals were already given the go-ahead, and a further twenty one new build projects, including thirty four new hospitals, were due to receive seed funding to kick start their schemes. 

   Some of the hospitals receiving funding include North Manchester General Hospital, Royal Preston Hospital, Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. 

   The NHS has needed more investment for years and it’s great that we’re finally seeing a focus on investment. For years we’ve seen a short-term approach to NHS buildings and infrastructure, with repairs taking too long and hospitals not being able to treat patients because they’re underfunded and don’t have the capacity to deal with everyone coming in. 

   These plans were welcomed by a sector that hasn’t seen a lot of investment, though there was some confusion from the Trusts around how the funding would be divided up and where it was going. The government will hope that this more strategic approach helps improve the health infrastructure and facilities for the NHS over the long-term. Ultimately helping to provide more resources for staff, increase capacity for patients and help deliver better facilities and world-leading care for patients. 

   Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “The dedication and tireless efforts of our nurses, doctors and all healthcare workers have kept the NHS open throughout this pandemic. But no matter what this virus throws at us, we are determined to build back better and deliver the biggest hospital building programme in a generation. From Morpeth to Milton Keynes, we are building 40 new hospitals across England to level up our NHS so more people have top-class healthcare services in their local area.”

   You can find out how we can provide solutions for the NHS, here.

2. Modular buildings to meet the needs of the healthcare sector?

   14th July 2021 9:52 am Comments Off on Modular buildings to meet the needs of the healthcare sector?

   In a market where shortages exist, building standards are extremely high. Sustainability, comfort and infection control are all important but budgets are tight. Modular construction needs to be a part of the solution. The offsite industry can build for any sector, for any client, and boasts three main advantages; flexibility, quality and speed. From increasing the space in emergency departments and same day emergency care to improving the facilities and bringing them up to date. The healthcare sector can benefit greatly, but how?

   Matthew Goff, Managing Director at Thurston Group, explains.

   At Thurston Group we manufacture modular and portable buildings through modern methods of construction. With modular construction most manufacturers are able to build to customers’ exact requirements. The healthcare sector needs flexibility as not every project is the same. Some clients will need multiple buildings making up a large hospital complex, while others may need an extension of their current facilities. We can work with clients on designs that integrate with their current building or entirely new designs for brand new buildings.

   Utilising the use of BIM and a controlled offsite manufacturing process, modular buildings are built to a much higher standard than traditional methods. Buildings are monitored throughout the build through a strict quality control process to provide durable, lifetime buildings. Nothing leaves our factory unless it’s signed off and approved.

   Modular construction times are up to 50% quicker than traditional methods too. In a matter of weeks, we delivered a flat-pack style ward for Tameside General Hospital, increasing the hospital’s critical care capacity during the covid-19 pandemic. Due to the speed in which the numbers of seriously-ill people were growing, hospitals around the country were filling up fast and needed relief. Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust needed a brand new intensive care unit (ICU) quickly to cope with the numbers of people needing treatment and with a seven-week timeframe, only modular could deliver.

   We were given the brief in March 2020 by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. This project was critical to the hospital’s ability to support the region with ventilated bedspace.

   The first phase, a 10-bed ward facility was delivered within an incredible seven weeks. Followed by a A&E reception extension along with a linkway corridor to be operational within a short timeframe and with minimum disruption to the day to day running of the hospital. As much as 90% of our buildings are manufactured offsite in a controlled environment, reducing construction traffic and noise in a sensitive health environment. Meaning that healthcare facilities and hospitals can maintain their care standards, whilst expanding facilities to coordinate an emergency response.

   The new respiratory ward that formed phase one of the project, included a brand new nurses station, staff room, accessible showers and toilets as well as the extra ten ventilated bed bays. It also included laundry and utility rooms as well as a one way entry/exit floor plan with sliding doors leading to the existing building. The new ICU ward had a capacity for ten beds and was built offsite and craned in ready to house seriously-ill covid-19 patients.

   Phase two, saw the delivery of an A&E reception extension to aid the hospital’s social distancing capacity. The modular units were installed in a tight courtyard with less than 25mm tolerances next to the existing building, providing numerous challenges from a design and installation perspective, which were all able to be overcome, with clear communication channels throughout.

   Phase three combined all these new modular buildings together with the existing hospital building.

   Anything that can be assembled offsite, like staff rooms, toilets and shower areas, was completed at the factory, inside each of the module’s for delivery. The module’s were then loaded and delivered to the hospital on the back of multiple lorries, where a 200-tonne crane then lifted these into place and joined them together like one big giant jigsaw.

   Despite being installed adjacent to the main A&E entrance for the hospital, the project was completed without disrupting the hospital’s ability to care for the region. We’ve managed to deliver successfully, despite operating during a global pandemic everything from vaccination centres to support the vaccine rollout, to these hospital extensions and numerous testing centres across the country.

   Modular can definitely meet the needs of the Healthcare sector, we’ve been delivering to the sector for over 40 years. Our portable and modular buildings meet all NHS guidelines, including HTM and HBN requirements, and with over 50 years of experience, you can save both time and money coming to us, now even more since we’ve secured various positions on the NHS SBS – MB2 Framework.

   Our team really understood the value of speed when mobilising at very short notice to deliver an emergency ICU ward, various testing centres and vaccination centres to support the UK’s fight against covid-19. Everyone at Thurston Group wants to thank the people of the NHS, who are doing so much for our people and country. They are the true frontline heroes with our teams doing their best to support them.

3. Thurston Group attends IdeasHub

   3rd June 2021 2:25 pm Comments Off on Thurston Group attends IdeasHub

   Our Business Development Manager, Gemma Darroch, spent the morning attending the IdeasHub from Willmott Dixon and the Procurement Hub. The first webinar in their leadership series where they’ll be sharing knowledge, insight, intelligence and innovation from industry renowned speakers. With a view to unlock proactive conversation with members, partners and guests. 

   Their first online event saw two renowned visionaries of the procurement world who brought their invaluable thoughts and insights. Peter Kilkenny, Executive Director, has developed extensive operational experience across both the public and private sectors, managing a range of Sports, Leisure and Cultural venues. He gave his thoughts around how town and city centres may regenerate in the future. Alan Heron FCIPS, Director of Procurement at Procurement Hub, has over twenty years’ experience in multiple sectors including IT, public, private and healthcare. He provided an overview of the green paper and offered his thoughts on best practise moving forward. 

   The event was all about the government’s Levelling Up Fund, which will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life right across the UK. With a much needed £4.8 billion fund, this will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects and cultural and heritage assets. Town centres and high streets have suffered massively throughout the pandemic and this fund looks to boost local economies and improve the lives of communities in towns up and down the country. 

   Gemma Darroch found the event insightful and was interested to hear their thoughts on the long term plans. She said, “I was particularly interested to learn about the longer term NHS care plan which is looking to increase healthcare at a local level. Focusing on people and communities, the plan aims to put a spotlight on collaboration and partnerships involving a whole range of organisations.”

4. Helping to tackle COVID-19 with modular ward building

   21st April 2020 10:50 am Comments Off on Helping to tackle COVID-19 with modular ward building

   A new, flat-pack style ward for seriously-ill coronavirus patients is under construction for Tameside General Hospital during the pandemic, the Manchester Evening News can reveal. And incredibly, manufacturers have worked round the clock to deliver the modular ward building in just a matter of weeks.

   The intensive care unit ward will have capacity for ten beds and a steel frame is expected to be hoisted into place on a huge crane a week on Sunday.

   Health trust bosses said the project was part of its plans to increase the hospital’s critical care capacity during the pandemic.

   Wakefield-based Thurston Group, which manufactures modular buildings and portable buildings, was given a brief by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust on March 18.

   Read full article on the MPBA website

5. New modular ICU ward for coronavirus patients at Tameside Hospital

   10:46 am Comments Off on New modular ICU ward for coronavirus patients at Tameside Hospital

   Thurston Group is building new modular ICU ward for seriously-ill coronavirus patients for Tameside Hospital during the pandemic, as covered in the Manchester Evening News.

   Incredibly, manufacturers have worked round the clock to deliver the project in just a matter of weeks.

   The flat-pack style intensive care unit ward will have capacity for ten beds and health trust bosses said the project was part of its plans to increase the hospital’s critical care capacity during the pandemic.

   Wakefield-based Thurston Group, which manufactures modular and portable buildings, was given a brief by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust on March 18.

   Previously, the firm has built three specialist wards for Wythenshawe Hospital, which formed a two-storey facility catering for 105 beds.

   Read full article on the Manchester Evening News

6. Healthcare Buildings

   27th March 2020 12:03 pm Comments Off on Healthcare Buildings

   Thurston Group is a leading manufacturer of standardised and bespoke healthcare buildings that are designed and precision engineered to deliver the very best in clinical environments.

   Our portable and modular solutions meet all NHS guidelines, including HTM and HBN requirements. With over 50 years of experience, you can save time and money coming to us for best building advice.

   Designed to meet your needs

   In a market where shortages exist, building standards for comfort and infection control are extremely high. In a world where sustainability is of growing importance and budgets are tight – offsite construction has to be a big part of the solution. Our healthcare buildings work as stand-alone cabins or can be linked to create a much larger building to provide much needed care environments.
   
   These highly specialised buildings can be used in many applications such as A&E wards, acute, paediatric and isolation wards, toilets or showers, sleeping or rest areas, shower blocks or storage areas. Available in a range of sizes and with various options for internal and external finishes, Thurston’s units are the ultimate in quality and functionality. Our product range can also include various architectural features match your existing estate, as well as local or environmental planning requirements.

   Proven Methodology

   Offsite construction delivers a range of benefits over traditional build methods:
   
   • Fully complies with all building health & safety regulations
   • Faster return on investment due to reduced overall programmes
   • Protect your employees and your patients
   • Providing additional peace of mind

   As much as 75% of a building is manufactured offsite in a controlled environment, this reduces construction traffic and noise in the sensitive health environment. Meaning your hospital can maintain its high quality day to day care standards, whilst expanding its facilities to coordinate an emergency response.