PSA successfully designed essential services for a new health centre, part of a Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) project to upgrade and expand a group of health centres. Despite facing challenges such as space constraints and tight deadlines, our team worked diligently to deliver a functional and efficient facility that continues to serve the community.
CLIENT: East Lancashire NHS Trust
VALUE: £8m
LOCATION: Nelson
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Design
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
This project involved upgrading and expanding a group of health centres funded by the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT). The client required a purpose-built space to accommodate an upgraded GP surgery with additional provisions such as family doctors, clinics, audiology and treatment rooms. Our task was to work with the existing listed building, an old mill, and integrate the new construction seamlessly with the existing structure.
OUR SOLUTIONS
Collaborating with Eric Wright Construction, the main contractor, we undertook the complete mechanical and electrical design engineering from concept stage through to handover.
Our design included:
- Medical gases
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Lighting and power
One of the primary challenges we encountered was the space limitations imposed by the old building. The low ceiling heights in the original structure restricted ventilation options, and the new construction’s floor-to-ceiling height had to match the existing building, resulting in limited ceiling voids for accommodating services.
Additionally, the electrical installation was particularly challenging due to the confined spaces. Furthermore, the plant room’s size was exceptionally small, requiring creative solutions to fit all the necessary equipment.
Another significant hurdle we faced was the unbelievably tight timescales. Due to the requirement to utilise the funding by a specific deadline, the entire design and construction process had to be completed within an ambitious 15-month timeframe.
THE OUTCOME
The new building now houses additional services next to the original GP surgery including, dentistry, clinics, audiology, podiatry and treatment rooms.
