The NHS Nightingale Hospital North West at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, opened on Friday, within just two weeks of work having begun.
The hospital was delivered by IHP (Integrated Health Projects), our healthcare joint venture with Vinci Construction UK, working alongside NHS staff, the Army, Mott MacDonald, Archus, BDP and NG Bailey.
Some 1,000 people have been involved in the project which has seen work going on around the clock to complete the 750-bed hospital from scratch within the Grade II listed building.
The hospital, which has been functioning since 13th April, is equipped to receive coronavirus patients from across the region who do not need intensive care but still require treatment. This releases crucial critical care beds in existing hospitals.
IHP were asked to start work on Saturday, 28th March and within 12 hours our team was up and running in liaison with the NHS and the Army.
Handed over just 13 days after construction began, the facility’s 14,500m2 of flooring could cover Wembley twice over. The hospital includes 104km of data cable, 45km of power cable and the 3,400m of partitioning.
Professor Michael McCourt, the chief executive of the Nightingale thanked all of the contractors and suppliers involved: “It has been incredibly humbling to see all the hard work that has gone into building a hospital out of nothing and in such a short period of time. No matter what your role has been, without you, this wouldn’t have been possible. Teams have worked day and night, in a challenging environment to achieve this and you should be very proud of your contribution.
“This hospital will play a crucial role in caring for Covid-19 patients and supporting hospitals across the region. By providing care for patients who no longer need to be in a critical care environment we will be helping to make sure the highest-level critical care beds are available for those patients who need them. This hospital will help save lives. On behalf of the NHS, the patients this hospital will care for and their families, I want to say thank you.”