Sir Robert McAlpine is helping to build a temporary Nightingale hospital on Jersey as part of the response to fighting coronavirus.
Sir Robert McAlpine is working on the 180-bed facility alongside its J3 Ltd joint venture partners Garenne and FES.
The hospital is under construction on Millbrook Playing Field and will be operational in the first week of May, less than a month after the decision was taken to build it.
Design work has been progressing around the clock to allow for the necessary sign-offs and procurement of key elements of the building to deliver the hospital on time.
Work to build the aluminium frame and semi-rigid panels used to create the temporary building has already started.
The hospital will provide beds for acute, enhanced and ongoing levels of medical care, including oxygen provision but not invasive ventilation.
McAlpine already has experience working on the NHS Nightingale Hospital North West in Manchester, while the company’s J3 partner FES worked on the Glasgow SEC Nightingale Hospital.
Paul Hamer, chief executive Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We continue to be encouraged by how we and the wider construction industry can apply our knowledge and expertise to support the nation’s fight against covid-19. We have an established connection with the island of Jersey and operating with our partners as J3, we are pleased that we can work together to support the Islanders at this challenging time.”
The 150 metres by 30 metres building is designed to allow medical teams to work as efficiently as possible. There will be enough space for six 30-bed wards and areas to admit and discharge patients, as well as staff rest and changing facilities, X-rays, equipment storage, laundry and a morgue.
Sir Robert McAlpine Healthcare lead Stuart McArthur said: “While the rapid progress on site is evident, the invisible round-the-clock efforts of the whole project partnership is just as impressive. We’re very proud to have been selected as a key partner for the Island in such times of need.”
