PSA delivered Mechanical & Electrical design for an extension to Furness General Hospital’s Emergency Department, enhancing critical care capabilities with a new resus facility and ambulance entrance. Our team navigated the complexities of working within a live hospital environment, implementing a phased approach to minimise disruption. The result is a modern, efficient emergency care space that meets the highest standards of patient care and operational excellence.
CLIENT: Furness General Hospital
LOCATION: Barrow-in-Furness
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Design
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
Furness General Hospital sought to expand and modernise their Emergency Department with a new two-storey extension. The brief called for a state-of-the-art resus facility, a dedicated ambulance entrance, and refurbished main entrance area. The client required a phased approach to construction, allowing the existing department to remain operational throughout the 29-week project. A key requirement was the integration of advanced medical systems, including IPS and UPS power supplies, to support critical care functions. The trust also needed expert guidance through all RIBA stages, from concept to completion.
OUR SOLUTION
PSA’s involvement spanned RIBA stages 1-6, providing comprehensive engineering solutions throughout the project lifecycle. We began by assisting with brief development and preliminary costings, working closely with stakeholders and Trust Authorising Engineers. Our team then produced detailed design proposals for the new facilities, including:
- The resus bays
- Ambulance canopy
- Plant room housing essential M&E equipment.
We factored in the challenges of working adjacent to live hospital areas, incorporating temporary resus beds into our design to maintain emergency care provision.
Throughout construction, we offered on-site support, addressing technical issues and ensuring compliance with HTM 06-01 and IEE Guidance for medical locations.
The design included:
- IPS and UPS power supply
- Heating, Ventilation and Cooling
- General power and lighting
THE OUTCOME
The project delivered a cutting-edge emergency care facility that significantly enhanced the hospital’s capabilities. The new resus area, with its advanced medical IT systems and IPS/UPS arrangements, provides a superior environment for critical care. The dedicated ambulance entrance improves emergency access, while the refurbished main entrance enhances the overall patient experience. Despite the challenges of working in a live hospital setting, our phased approach ensured minimal disruption to ongoing services. The trust now benefits from a modern, efficient Emergency Department that meets the highest standards of patient care and operational resilience.
