The Royal Berkshire Hospital critical care service provides care to the most acutely unwell patients within the Trust and accommodates one of the busiest ICU research teams in the country. The ICU is based on level 3 of the 1970’ steel frame South Block, adjacent to the theatre facility and shares access from the lift and street.
The hospital required upgrades to the existing ICU facility to improve operational conditions and wellbeing of the staff, patients and visitors. The works within the existing operational ICU facility have been broken down and conducted in phases. Phase 1, which we have delivered, focussed on remodelling the front end of the ICU facility to provide improved admin and waiting spaces.
The works started with asbestos removal followed by demolition of existing non-structural partition walls and strip out of existing services associated with the current entrance, admin and overnight stay facilities on level 03 and strip out of redundant plant in the level 02 plantroom.
The internal space was then reconfigured to accommodate the new layout with new flooring, walls, and ceiling ensuring the most efficient and practical use of the available space. New MEP services were installed, including Air Handling unit, Fan Coil units and connection to the existing heating network. Scope also included renovation of IT and small power provisions.
The project site was a part of the wider hospital, which is active and busy 24 hours per day. Therefore, throughout the project duration, extra care needed to be taken to minimise noise and access disruption to the ICU.
