Our special efforts at Northwick Park Hospital
One of our major clients for some years has been Northwick Park Hospital. It is a large medical facility in North London with 8,000 staff and serving a diverse population of some 850,000 people. Administratively, it is part of London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (abbreviated to: "LNWH"). Ealing Hospital, another of our clients, and Central Middlesex Hospital also come under LNWH.
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In early 2020 Northwick Park Hospital found itself at the forefront of the pandemic. It quickly gained the unenviable reputation of receiving the largest number of COVID cases in the first months of the coronavirus outbreak
The speed of the pandemic and the rising number of those affected created the need was for more space. The only way to resolve this was to re-purpose and adapt existing wards to act as emergency COVID units, and ICU areas. As a main building contractor VMC found itself in the centre of making these changes to the wards and units. |
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The work undertaken
We performed numerous tasks to help Northwick Park deal with the pandemic. This work was ongoing, virtually without any pause, from March 2020 to September 2022. Our workload was so intense that it saw our own people catch the virus.
We were at risk because the work was often undertaken in "active" wards as it was not possible to move patients.
The key concern and urgency was to re-purpose wards to meet the demands of the pandemic.
Where possible existing wards had to become "emergency" style Intensive Care Units. Given the affects on people with COVID , all patients admitted to the hospital required continuous monitoring and attention.
At the same time, the hospital limited admissions of other patients. This meant there were wards available, such as the "Children's Ward, which could be adapted and re-purposed for COVID use.
Overall we went through a series of tasks which involved much of what we have done regularly in our projects.
The implications for us as a company were:
We feel it is a tribute to our employees and sub-contractors that they did the work despite a real risk to themselves.
We were at risk because the work was often undertaken in "active" wards as it was not possible to move patients.
The key concern and urgency was to re-purpose wards to meet the demands of the pandemic.
Where possible existing wards had to become "emergency" style Intensive Care Units. Given the affects on people with COVID , all patients admitted to the hospital required continuous monitoring and attention.
At the same time, the hospital limited admissions of other patients. This meant there were wards available, such as the "Children's Ward, which could be adapted and re-purposed for COVID use.
Overall we went through a series of tasks which involved much of what we have done regularly in our projects.
- Opening up space by removing existing walls and partitions.
- Building divides and sections for different levels of COVID patients.
- Installing and connecting piping to provide air for additional ventilators
- Installing security doors for isolation areas
- Painting the new areas to maintain the standards of the hospital
The implications for us as a company were:
- The work had to be done quickly given the urgency.
- Knowledge and experience of specialist work was essential.
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We feel it is a tribute to our employees and sub-contractors that they did the work despite a real risk to themselves.
How bad was it
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Northwick was featured several times by news channels and also the national press. It was a distinction borne out by its place as the hospital coping in the worst affected area.
We have added a short Sky News report which is now a reminder of what it was like for medical staff working relentlessly and the patients who were severely affected by the virus. Please respect the terms and conditions of this video as we do not own any rights to this and are showing it "under permission". |
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We show this as a reminder - as some may have forgotten already . But for those involved in
providing care, or were affected by personal tragedy, it will always be etched in our memories.
providing care, or were affected by personal tragedy, it will always be etched in our memories.