Work has finished on the Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital, one of many major transformations taking place across hospitals in Wales
The hospital has been successfully repurposed into a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing facility, focusing on integration and wellness. It is now one of the most versatile hospitals in Wales, enabling accessibility to a range of disciplines and healthcare services.
The hospital has been designed to combine community and primary healthcare, adult mental health treatment, outpatient facilities, as well as specialised clinics for women and children. The facility welcomed its first patients last month, marking the beginning of a new era for hospitals in Wales.
Pick Everard was selected to work on the hospital through the SCAPE Consultancy Framework. They were responsible for project management, cost management, and CDM advisory services. Willmott Dixon delivered the project’s design and construction.
“Working with an existing site always brings unique challenges, particularly for older structures. There were several instances throughout the phased project where collaborative efforts across the delivery team were critical to success,” said Alex Dovey, director of project management at Pick Everard.
Improving the sustainability of hospitals in Wales
The framework addresses targets set out in the Welsh Government’s publication Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales. A decarbonisation report developed by the design team as part of the Full Business Case (FBC) documentation.
The Welsh government supplied additional funding specifically for the use of innovative fabric and Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) interventions. These interventions were instrumental in effectively reducing the building’s CO2 emissions.
This included installing solar panels into the building’s roof tiles and ensuring compliance with conservation area regulations. The building’s insulation was also upgraded, and triple glazing was added to improve acoustic and thermal performance. Several electric vehicle charging points were also added to the site.
The local community contributed to the hospital’s transformation
The project team also prioritised collaboration with the local community to honour the hospital’s historical significance and ensure long-term benefits for the local area. The project involved nearby schools, allowing students to contribute to the design of therapeutic gardens by suggesting features to be included in the final plans.
“Pick Everard has worked very closely with the Health Board to offer professional project management and cost advice services, which have played a significant role in the collaborative effort to steer this complex and challenging refurbishment and reconfiguration project through to a successful conclusion,” said Wayne Tannahill, associate director of capital, estates and property at Powys Teaching Health Board.
“Working on a project like this, which brings together so many varied stakeholders from across the NHS, social care, third sectors and the construction supply chain, reflects the collaborative approach that we are passionate about delivering for every client. We’re incredibly proud to have been involved in a scheme that will create a truly lasting legacy for the people of Machynlleth,” concluded Alex Dovey.
