Interserve has handed over the second phase of the NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham, which increases patient-bed capacity by 390
The latest phase by Interserve Construction takes the total number of beds on-site at the NEC to 1,200 less than a week after the new NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham was opened by the Duke of Cambridge and health secretary, Matt Hancock.
As the principal contractor, Interserve Construction has now delivered the first two phases at the hospital on behalf of the NHS and the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
More than 400 employees and contractors and 60 Gurkhas from the British Army worked more than 100,000 construction hours on the project.
All work was achieved in line with the social distancing rules set out by the UK Government and following the guidance issued by the Construction Leadership Council.
Vince Kesterton, project director at Interserve Construction, said: “Our team supported by our supply chain of contractors have delivered a fantastic effort and shown great professionalism in handing over phase two of this project with another 390 critical care beds in just two weeks.
“The way everyone has focussed on the task in hand and worked together as one team has been exceptional. This is a testament to our colleagues, and they should be very proud of their achievements – a project to tell their kids and grandchildren about in the future.
“I would also like to thank the families behind the people working on-site at the NEC for their support.”
Nightingale Hospitals
NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham is one of seven Nightingale Hospitals in the UK and has been set up by NHS England as part of the response to the Covid-19 epidemic in England.
The first of these hospitals to open was the NHS Nightingale Hospital London.
These hospitals have been named after Florence Nightingale, who came to prominence for nursing soldiers during the Crimean War.
The Birmingham hospital, which became operational on 10 April, was built in the NEC in eight days, was officially opened as the NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham by Prince William, using a video link, on 16 April.
The new hospital will be used for general medical Covid-19 patients, therefore leaving the existing hospitals with more capacity to provide specialist intensive care for the most serious cases.
Interserve Construction is continuing its work at the NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham to increase patient bed capacity.
