NHS Nightingale

cfes was appointed as the project lead and primary liaison with the NHS, overseeing a complex healthcare construction programme involving more than 200 contractors. Our responsibilities included procurement, delivery, and the coordination of both equipment and skilled resources to ensure a swift and efficient response to this healthcare crisis.

On March 21, 2020, leading disease data analysts predicted a critical shortage of 4,000 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in London, even with the maximum surge capacity of local hospitals. This shortfall would hinder hospitals’ ability to provide adequate clinical care to the expected influx of COVID-19 patients. To address this urgent need, ICU beds were required to be delivered at an unprecedented pace, aligning with the anticipated surge during the peak of the pandemic.

In response, the ExCeL London exhibition centre was transformed into an emergency hospital facility with a total capacity of 4,000 beds, with the first 500 beds delivered in nine days.This project was a hallmark achievement in healthcare construction, optimising existing space to develop a state-of-the-art facility.

Collaborating with clinicians, consultants, contractors, the ExCeL facilities management team, and the British Army,cfes meticulously managed the integration of innovative ward design solutions.We ensured each bed within the ICU wards was fully equipped to handle seriously ill patients, cared for by dedicated staff in full PPE – emphasising the importance of sterilisation and safety.

The design incorporated a component system typically used for constructing exhibition stands, allowing for efficient construction of bed heads and service corridors, vital in maintaining stringent sterile conditions.

Clinical flow was a pivotal consideration within the building’s circulation strategy, further highlighting the significance of well-implemented ward design.

Wards were interconnected with a temporary tunnel across a boulevard, facilitating access to the diagnostics area. Staff movements between the boulevard and ICU wards were facilitated via dedicated donning and doffing rooms, essential components in maintaining infection control protocols.

This unprecedented project exemplifies our commitment to rapid response and collaboration in the face of a healthcare crisis, making CFES a leader in the healthcare construction domain.