Royal Surrey builds isolation ward in record time | News

A new and fully equipped 20-bed isolation ward is being built at Royal Surrey in record time to provide dedicated care for patients suffering from Covid-19 or other infectious diseases.

The Trust commissioned the bespoke facility to increase hospital capacity and to provide the best possible care to patients during the pandemic.

Gary Mountjoy, Associate Director of Estates and Facilities said: “We were tasked with finding a solution that could be delivered quickly and safely.

“The Elite Systems modular unit has been partly constructed off site and then brought to the main site, making it the ideal solution. 

“It was a mammoth task though: to install this new isolation ward, the team has had to remove trees, level 4,200 tonnes of soil, install service infrastructure and lay 11,000 tonnes of foundations and footings.

“It is so important to be able to isolate infectious patients and return the hospital to full operational capability.

“This new ward will allow us to gradually increase traditional services and resume postponed treatments and appointments.”

The Guildford Borough Council Ward comprises 20 isolation rooms which will allow the treatment of patients with infectious diseases away from the main hospital environment. It is fully equipped to provide a high standard of treatment including CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). It will initially be used to care for patients with Covid-19, but can be used for the treatment of patients with other infectious diseases in the future.

Gary continued: “This has been a truly collaborative effort between Estates, Elite Systems, Jacqui Tingle, the Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC), the Infection Control Team, the Health and Safety team, and the team at Elite Systems.

“We would also like to say a huge thank you to Guildford Borough Council for their understanding in allowing this new ward to be built in such a short time period. The ward has been named after them to show our appreciation for all their support during this time.”

Jason Bowker, Commercial Director of Elite Systems added: “Normally, a building of this size and complexity would take a year from planning to operational status, so to deliver this within four months is quite extraordinary. 

“My team has worked extremely hard and done a fantastic job. It’s been a pleasure working with Royal Surrey and I know this ward will provide a safe environment to care for its Covid-19 patients.”

The new unit, named Guildford Borough Council Ward, is due to be fully operational from the beginning of July.