Project progress: March 2024
The weather continued to work against us in March, but with up to 60 people working on the site each day, there has continued to be great progress. After the air handling units were delivered in February, the final elements of the roof have been completed, including the vapour control barrier, insulation and outer membrane that will ensure the roof stays well sealed.
Windows and cladding have been installed around the building, including the inner courtyard and terrace, and those who work at or visit the Western Community Hospital site will be seeing the building looking closer to the finished product from the outside.
Inside the building, screeding has continued across all flooring in the main ward areas and the stairwells. Screed is a mix of concrete, sand and water that is smoothed over a concrete floor to even it out and provide a surface for flooring layers to be added onto later in the project.
The first fix mechanical and engineering elements are still being installed, creating the infrastructure that will be inside the walls and ceilings enabling water, air and electrical services to be delivered in every room. It’s a complex network of pipes that must be accurate to ensure the reliable supply of hot and cold water, ventilation and power to patients and staff, as well as allowing access for any repair and maintenance in the future.
In the last few months the internal walls have been put in place and plasterers have been on site to begin smoothing the walls and preparing them for decorating in the next few weeks, which will start to bring some colour to the rooms and a feel of what they will eventually look like when the hospital opens.
Finally, lift components have been delivered and prepared for installation into the lift shafts, which will create a vital point of access for people visiting the wards.
We are continuing site tours, led by Senior Project Manager Mark Maffey, and a walk around the inside of the building now shows much more of what the final wards will look and feel like. We are getting excellent feedback from people who are excited to see the finished product and the new environment, which will bring positive change for patients and staff.
If you are interested in booking a staff site tour, you can join us on Fridays at 12.45pm. We join a short safety briefing with Brymor colleagues before taking a full tour of the rehabilitation building, and all PPE is provided. To see what you can expect on a tour, you can watch our video here.
To book your place, contact sam.vincent@solent.nhs.uk