Work Begins Transforming Chelsea and Westminster Critical Care Unit
£25 million project will allow for treatment of 2,000 adults and babies every year
This state-of-the-art expansion and redevelopment of the critical care unit will allow for treatment of up to 2,000 patients every year across the adult and neonatal intensive care units combined.
The Trust says a total of 616 patients were treated in the ICU last year, with 758 babies being treated in the NICU.
The ICU future capacity will increase by 45% and the NICU will increase in space by 40%. Thiis expansion will enable the hosptial to treat more than 650 additional critically ill patients every year in world-class facilities for them and their families.
The Trust is a regional centre for neonatal care, already running one of the largest neonatal services in the country and is now expanding it to care for even more babies who need expert, life-saving care.
The transformation is one of the largest and most complex projects undertaken in the hospital’s history, as patients will continue to be cared for in both of the units throughout the redevelopment.
The Trust says: "Their safety and care and our stringent infection control standards will be maintained to the highest level as the hospital’s top priority above all else.
"It will therefore take nearly two years to complete and will deliver some of the best, patient-focused critical care facilities in the country in a state-of-the-art environment."
The new environment will create more space, accommodation for families, bespoke lighting and privacy glazing, along with the latest sensor technology to monitor patients’ health, progress and environment.
Lesley Watts, CEO of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, says: "This is one of our hospital’s most significant expansions and redevelopments so far and it’s fantastic to make this announcement today, on the 70th anniversary of the NHS.
"This is the future of critical care at our Trust, and will allow us to care for more patients, in a world-class environment, as well as providing better facilities for parents, relatives and loved ones."
Chris Chaney, CEO of CW+, says: "This has been our most ambitious fundraising campaign to date and we have had a phenomenal response from our local community, for which we are incredibly grateful. Building on our extensive research and practical experience of how physical surroundings have a direct impact on recovery, these units will be specially designed to provide the optimal healing environment and experience for critically ill patients and their families."
McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd has been appointed as the principal contractor to carry out the major works.
McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd Construction Director Alan McKee said: "It’s a great privilege to be involved in the redevelopment of another of London’s iconic hospitals. We are looking forward to joining the incumbent project team for the new intensive care and neonatal intensive care units, in delivering a world-class facility for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital."
August 24, 2018
