Grimsby’s very own ‘big build’, masterminded by North East Lincolnshire Council and regeneration partners, ENGIE, has seen a former care home transformed into a facility that will ease pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.
The former Cambridge Park Care Home, which is on Peterhouse Road, Grimsby, was handed back to the area’s Care Plus Group on Wednesday, April 8, after a two-week turn-around, during which it was converted into a rehabilitation unit.
Intended for people who need care on a short term basis prior to their release home, or who need more care than can be provided within their own home, the facility will take patients from Diana Princess of Wales hospital, thereby freeing up much needed beds in the acute sector for those who really need them.
North East Lincolnshire Council and ENGIE have released details of the volume of work that was met in the extremely short timeframe to ensure the building was suitable for use, meeting all the necessary requirements.
Praising all those involved, Jane Miller, Chief Executive at Care Plus Group who own and will operate the facility, said: “The work that has been carried out is just phenomenal. This facility provides a new and additional 52 bed resource for the North East Lincolnshire’s health and care system and in-light of the current Covid-19 crisis this will be extremely beneficial. It’s just amazing to see the amount of work and the quality of the work that has been completed in such a short space of time.”
Built in 1996 and operating as a residential home until 2019, the needed a major upgrade to its heating, fire, alarm, nurse call, emergency lighting and IT systems with lifts also requiring servicing and repair.
With ENGIE acting as principle designers, working alongside principle contractor Topcon Building Ltd, a local construction company, and a host of North East Lincolnshire based sub-contractors including Lincs Electrical, Fred Margarson Ltd, Portlock Painting, RSB Flooring, Grimsby Sunblinds, Newglaze, ABM Roofing and Sylvester Keal.
The works included:
- Building and installing four new nurses’ stations
- Installing replacement floors in about 20 per cent of the building
- Adding new sluice rooms, bathrooms and toilet facilities
- Extensive refurbishment and redecoration
These works were carried out in close liaison with officers from Humberside Fire & Rescue Service and the council’s Building Control Team, managed by ENGIE.
Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased with the expediency of this project. This facility was much needed in our area before COVID-19 hit. The pressure on the health and care sectors locally demonstrates a demand for this type of facility and I’m certain that once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, we will still have need of the Cambridge Park site.
“This facility has the potential to free up much-needed resources for the hospital and allow medical professionals to focus on those that need the most urgent care, whilst people on the road to recovery can focus on getting back on their feet away from a hospital ward.
“Also with this project, we have been very lucky in that there are a number of contractors locally who are able to carry out these types of work, and those contractors very quickly rallied around and prioritised this job over other work, and for that I am immensely grateful. I would like to thank our partners at ENGIE and the local contractors involved for completing the project so quickly.”
Paul Thorpe, Head of Operations at ENGIE, described how the operation was successfully executed, with everyone pulling in the same direction. “Many local sub-contractors have been involved in the process of refurbishing this unit and have worked long hours. Some have also worked shifts through 24-hours to complete the works,” he said. “The whole team has worked tremendously well together under demanding time pressures and current safety measures to deliver this project to the Care Plus Group and fulfil the requirements of the newly renovated building,” added Paul.
Marcus Asquith, Partnership Director at ENGIE, also added: “Our local contractors, the building merchants and supply chain’s response to this project has been phenomenal. “Using emergency COVID-19 procurement measures the project was able to be mobilised in days and I would like to recognise the local construction workforce and supply chain for their support and efforts in completing this transformative and life-saving project for the residents of North East Lincolnshire.”
The new rehabilitation centre is expected to open from April 20, following a staff recruitment exercise.
Article from NELC.
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