Vinci Construction is leading its supply chain working day and night to deliver temporary Rainbow Hospitals at Deeside Leisure Centre and Bangor University
Renamed Ysbyty Enfys Glannau Dyfrdwy (Rainbow Hospital Deeside) and Ysbyty Enfys Bangor (Rainbow Hospital Bangor) they will form two out of three sites that have been handed over to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to provide a combined 1,000 additional beds to help meet increased demand over the coming weeks and months.
BCUHB is working in partnership with local authorities and military planners to rapidly establish the hospitals so they can begin providing care for patients by the end of April.
Integrated Health Projects
Vinci Construction is delivering the work as part of ‘Integrated Health Projects (IHP)’ under the Welsh Health Framework began work last weekend to demolish the 16,000 sq ft indoor wooden skate park at Deeside Leisure Centre, which will be converted into the main ward space for the hospital. When it is completed Rainbow Hospital Deeside will have 430 beds and Rainbow Hospital Bangor will have 250.
IHP, the joint venture between Vinci and Sir Robert McAlpine, is also leading on the development of the Nightingale field hospital in Manchester.
John Roberts, regional managing director of Vinci Construction, commented: “This is the latest in a number of projects where our teams have led from the front to help support the NHS at this time of national emergency.
“It’s a privilege to play a part and it has been amazing to see how everyone has collaborated in just a matter of days to turn this hospital around.
“Everyone’s attitude has been remarkable, and I couldn’t be prouder. We are all focused on getting these beds ready to help save lives.”
Symbol of hope and solidarity with NHS
Mark Polin, chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, added: “It’s entirely fitting that our temporary hospitals should reflect the symbol of hope and solidarity with NHS staff and other key workers that has become so synonymous with the region’s response to COVID-19.
“Our staff have been incredibly moved by the outpouring of support from the general public, including the many images of rainbows displayed in the windows of homes across North Wales.
“We have also been inundated with very generous offers of help from partner organisations, businesses and members of the public. By working together, we can meet the challenges of the difficult few weeks and months ahead.”
Vinci has teams working across six hospitals in Wales and the north west of England either to establish field hospitals from scratch, to refurbish existing units or create critical care wards ahead of schedule to provide the NHS with extra capacity.
