Redevelopment of intensive care unit

The intensive care unit (ICU) project at Jersey General Hospital entailed the refurbishment and extension of the unit in order to comply with the UK Health Technical Memoranda (Guidance Notes) and to meet the needs of the island for the medium term.

The goal was to create a modern and efficient ICU for the island of Jersey and extend the life of the facility by ten years. The project included the creation of two isolation rooms plus a five-bed intensive care unit with a total gross internal floor area of 110m^². The scope included the complete redesign of the internal layout and renewal of the mechanical and electrical services equipment and pipe/duct work, which had to be rerouted and upgraded while all services for the building and serving departments, such as emergency, theatres and children’s ward, remained operational at all times.

Our role

Currie & Brown provided cost management services from Stage 1 (preparation and brief) of the RIBA plan of works to Stage 7 (in use). 

The primary challenge was that the ICU had to remain operational throughout the renovation. In order to ensure minimal disruption in terms of noise, vibration and dust, we fostered a collaborative working environment throughout all levels of the construction team, project team, client team and client user group. There was no margin for defects or time delays for each phase because it was not possible to re-enter the live patient areas after handover or once the hospital deep clean protocols and infection control sign-off procedures had commenced. Stringent sign-off and commissioning protocols were put in place to ensure zero defects upon completion.

Limited access to adjoining wards and facilities posed additional challenges. In order to route some services through the void in the ceiling above theatres and below the ICU within a period of just three days, a co-ordinated 24-hour work programme was planned on an hour-by-hour basis, requiring the buy-in of the most senior hospital managers. The close working relationship established through daily meetings between the contractor and the unit manager enabled the work to be sequenced to best suit the requirements of the unit. Despite continual minor adjustments due to the emergency nature of the ward, the team completed the whole project ahead of schedule.  

By working closely with the design team Currie & Brown ensured both pre- and post- contract costs were managed efficiently. Pre-contract, this entailed preparing a number of feasibility studies and cost plans at key stages of the project to ensure that as the design developed, costs remained within budget. Post-contract, Currie & Brown was proactive in the costing of any potential variations, ensuring the client was fully aware of all cost implications of variations prior to instruction. Currie & Brown also provided monthly cost reports during the course of the work. This ensured the project was delivered within budget.