Newham University Hospital | Maternity + New Born Unit

The project involved the redevelopment of an operational facility in the existing building and a new in-fill extension of part of the internal courtyard for use as the Maternity and New-Born Department. This included extensive phased refurbishment of two floors of two wings of the existing hospital building to create a new women’s services department. The key to the project was providing a dynamic and comfortable feeling and setting the standard for Maternity facilities.

Critically, the works were undertaken in a live hospital environment. The new department with outpatients assessment rooms, delivery suites, and a nursery was introduced without reducing the critical operation of the 24/7 facilities. The team carefully phased the project to maintain the operation of the main hospital facilities—this required detailed investigation and analysis of the adjacent wards to the existing services. Surveys found that the current services fed more than one ward and that substantial ventilation, heating, and electrical services were needed to be operational to service the adjacent wards. Ceiling voids were required when working on the services within the hospital street. An innovative “zip-up” paneling system was used to ensure safe working and clean hygienic separation between the works and the patients.

Elementa Consulting provided full mechanical, electrical and public health design services and energy monitoring and BREEAM advice on this project. Services included medical gases, communication room cooling and air conditioning of the ground floors. An essential part of the successful outcome of this project was the collaborative and close working practices with both the M&E subcontractors and the client stakeholders.

Key building systems such as the water services were upgraded as well as hot water distribution and safe TMV3 blending. To enhance comfort and reduce visual and physical impact radiant ceiling panels were utilized throughout the common areas.