Healthcare

ST PETER’S MIDWIFERY UNIT Steel Frame Logistics Occupied Site Health Standards Info box:Client: Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital, NHS Foundation TrustArchitect: Studio 4                        Quantity Surveyor: Sweett GroupValue: £1m Leading the way for natural birth, the Abbey Birth Centre has been purpose built to provide a ‘home from home’ environment for women who have uncomplicated pregnancies and want to give birth in a less clinical setting. Neilcott was appointed to deliver a single storey new build extension with new delivery suites and ancillary accommodation, together with a link to the existing maternity unit. There are four en-suite birthing rooms, three with pool facilities and extra touches such as iPod docking stations and a small outside garden space. The unit is run by midwives rather than doctors with a homely and relaxing environment, where women can move around freely during in labour. During the project works the adjoining maternity building was fully operational for the entire duration. The site area had multiple existing services which were traced, identified and protected before construction started. Meticulous logistics planning was essential to minimise disruption to the staff and hospital users and provide a safe and productive working environment for all. Key to the successful delivery of this project was effective communication and liaison with the clinical staff and estates department. Our Site Manager met with hospital premises management on a weekly basis to liaise over matters of deliveries and discuss forthcoming activities. This enabled effective coordination and ensured an excellent working relationship at site level.