Unique solution for local healthcare

A unique partnership between the NHS, a local charity and Jarvis is behind the project to replace two ageing hospitals in Berkshire with a new, state-of-the-art community health facility serving over 106,000 people.

Plans to replace the Sandleford and Newbury Community Hospitals – both built before 1900 – were in the pipeline for a number of years before the government’s PFI (private finance initiative) programme helped to turn these visions into a reality. However, in the case of the new 60-bed West Berkshire Community Hospital (which replaces the two Victorian institutions), a substantial charitable contribution from the Newbury Hospital Helper’s League has provided a very welcome boost to the capital funding: leaving more money within the NHS Trust’s budget to directly fund patient services. The project is the only one in the country to involve this particular mix of partners.

Although the involvement of the charity initially complicated the bidding and contractual process, the rigorous approach taken by all of the partners involved meant that the unique issues were addressed in a pragmatic way. It may have taken longer that usual to reach financial close on the project, but the result is a strong partnership with a particularly high level of openness, transparency and community involvement.

Building in flexibility and efficiency
Keen to ensure that the new community hospital meets evolving healthcare needs in the 21st century, Jarvis has worked closely with the client and user groups to reflect changing views of patient care. For example, although it was not included in the original specification for the hospital, the Company suggested that installing underfloor heating rather than conventional radiators would actively help staff in their fight against infection. Solar reflective glass will help to reduce heat loss or gains. And amid current concerns about the possible negative effects of the very dry environment produced by air conditioning, the building is also naturally ventilated. These measures all help to reduce energy costs, without affecting efficiency.

The new hospital will enable many more local people to be assessed and treated nearer to home for both day surgery and out patient appointments. The internal design is planned to be as flexible as possible, so the hospital can adapt to future developments in medical care and technology.

Community involvement
Throughout the building process, user groups including patient groups, staff, local GPs, trustees of the charity and local politicians have been actively encouraged to visit the site. Not only have they been able to see the progress at first hand, but the regular visits have also helped to highlight and resolve many practical issues at an early stage: saving potential costs and helping to build a sense of ownership for the new hospital.

This community involvement has been crucial. For example, when the drainage system for the new hospital had to be routed across the playing field of the primary school next door, Jarvis provided a new community garden, closely involving the children in its design. During the building phase, the Jarvis project manager has also been providing regular updates to the community, with a monthly live interview on the local BBC radio station’s morning news show.

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• Newbury & Community Primary Care Trust website
  
  
Factfile

• On schedule for completion in early 2004
• New hospital features:
  • 30 rehabilitation beds and a 30 person adult ward
  • Two day-surgery theatres with the capacity for up 18 patients
  • Outpatients specialist consultation unit
  • Minor injuries unit
  • Physiotherapy, rehabilitation therapy and radiology
  • Dedicated children’s outpatient facility
  • Base for community health teams
  • GP out-of-hours services
• Increased capacity and flexibility designed to provide 10,000 more out-patient appointments and 1,300 extra day surgery cases a year