BAM has been appointed to construct the new 500-bed emergency Nightingale Hospital at Harrogate Hospital
The new 500-bed Nightingale Hospital – part of the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis – involves converting Harrogate Convention Centre to accommodate the level three critical care beds in the existing Convention Centre’s halls for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
BAM and its team are converting eight halls to create suitable partitions, flooring, and the specialist mechanical and electrical zones and installations that are essential. The team is working 24/7 in shift patterns and working closely with medical staff and the Army.
BAM Construction has been appointed as the main design and build contractor under the government’s ProCure 22 framework for England, with the assistance of BAM Design, appointed to deliver structural engineering, and BAM’s specialist services engineering business.
BDP, who previously worked on the emergency facility at the Excel Centre, will be lead architect, while Silcock Leedham will provide services engineering, with Arcadis LLP providing project management and quantity surveying services.
Emergency facilities to assist NHS
Paul Cleminson, pre-construction director for BAM Construction in the North East, said: “We have mobilised immediately with a team which is working 24 hours in shifts around the clock, following Government guidance about safe working and delivering these emergency facilities to assist the effort to support our NHS. We’re very proud to be involved.
“I’m delighted to say we have first rate partners, and that our extensive and recent experience of healthcare projects in the north of England will serve us well, having worked several times with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over the years.
“Over our distinguished history of service to the UK, BAM has probably built more healthcare schemes than anybody: in excess of 400. We even built emergency hospitals during both World Wars. So we feel a sense of poignancy to be doing this now.
“I think it also shows what a fantastic tool the P22 route has proven to be for major healthcare schemes that it can adapt to deliver so quickly in such situations.”
BAM expects to have the hospital available for use by next weekend. All construction will have taken no longer than 14 days.
BAM is also close to being engaged on two further emergency Nightingale hospitals.
