BY Michael Berriman | Friday 17 December 2021
Hull Royal Infirmary’s new state-of-the-art £8m Intensive Care Unit has been completed by Hull-based Helix Construction Management Services.
Hull-based start-up Helix CMS delivers first-class healthcare construction projects. Within its first year of business, the company has successfully delivered construction projects for healthcare providers across East Yorkshire.
Following a successful tender process, Helix CMS was commissioned to create the major trauma centre on behalf of Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, with an intensive programme of work beginning in March 2021.
The construction of the three-storey world class Intensive Care Unit (ICU), located next to the Emergency Department at Hull Royal Infirmary, features modern isolation facilities, allowing patients with infections to be safely treated under the same roof as other patients needing intensive care.
Ross Bellingham, commercial director at Helix CMS, said: "We’re so proud to have worked on this project and be part of what’s been an incredible journey. We’re delighted to see the doors to this fantastic unit open, supporting critical care teams by providing some of the best intensive care facilities in the country.
"Covid-19 put the spotlight on resilience in healthcare. Not only have we created a modern environment with cutting edge equipment, working closely with the Trust and clinical staff we’ve ensured it’s fit-for-purpose, resilient and future-proof.
"We worked collaboratively to develop strong partnerships with the Trust Estates team and End Users Groups in the early stages of this project, ensuring the new unit met the needs of both staff and patients.
"Throughout the design period our team of professionals ensured engagement, inclusion and collaboration with relevant stakeholder input to ensure our designs met all regulatory, specification and operational requirements."
The new unit will see patients receive specialist one-to-one care in glass-fronted cubicles, double the size of the cubicles in the hospital’s existing ICUs. There are 12 cubicles on the ground and first floor, split into identical halves separated by a central observation area for staff.
Duncan Taylor, director of estates, facilities and development at Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, said: "Our team and the team at Helix have worked hand-in-hand with clinical colleagues to design the unit with their needs and the needs of the people they care for at the forefront of every decision.
"The result is an Intensive Care Unit which symbolizes the future of critical care and I think it’s up there with the best. We build things that are value for money and my view is we should also have the best. Why shouldn’t Hull have the best facilities? We’re very proud that Hull and our Trust are at the forefront of this innovation."
Working closely with staff, attention to detail has been given to every aspect of the patient and healthcare professionals experience. Everything from layout and colours to mood boosting lighting and bespoke equipment has been considered. Staff areas have been painted bright yellow to boost morale and wellbeing while patient areas have been painted in ‘Recovery Green’.
