Kier is to convert a Swansea film studio into an 850-bed field hospital to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Working with Swansea Council, Kier will build a new structure to house the new field hospital inside the existing 11,000 sq m single-tier building.
It will also improve existing infrastructure within the studio, including heating, electricity and water supplies.
Procured through Swansea Council on behalf of the Swansea Bay University Health Board, Kier is now on site and working with its local supply chain, as well as local contractor TRJ, to deliver the field hospital within the month.
The hospital will initially will provide 500 beds, with an additional 350 beds following in subsequent weeks.
Anthony Irving, managing director for Kier Regional Building Western & Wales, states: “Our aim is to help the NHS at this vital time and support its efforts in response to covid-19.
“I am immensely proud of our teams who are working tirelessly to deliver the field hospital at Bay Studios in Swansea. Working alongside Swansea Council and with our local supply chain, this is a collaborative effort at a time when our communities need it most.”
Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “The spread of coronavirus has brought significant fresh challenges. The council, working with partners such as Kier, is doing everything it can to support our communities.
“We are transforming the Bay Studios into a surge hospital to help the NHS deal with the expected upsurge in the number of cases locally.
“This is a massive project because the building has been empty for years and it is a million miles away from what you would expect of a hospital.”
Tracy Myhill, chief executive of Swansea Bay University Health Board, said: “I am grateful and extremely proud of the way we have come together as a region to meet the challenges of this pandemic. There is a real can-do attitude being demonstrated, and people are determined to do everything possible to safeguard our population.”
