Given the specialist nature of the new facility, one of the treatment suites will include an X-ray unit and a machine, which is used to treat kidney stones using high-power ultrasonics. This will require the installation of radiation protection, lead-lined doors and X-ray warning lights at the entrance.
LST will also be responsible for installing a new air handling unit on the roof, which will require additional steelwork and crane lifts from the main hospital service yard. These will take place at weekends and have to be co-ordinated with the air ambulance.
One of the biggest challenges for LST will be the location of the new space, which is situated directly above laboratory areas in constant use, making access complex. Existing hospital corridors and a lift will need to be used, requiring all construction goods, materials and waste to be very carefully transported to avoid disruption and health and safety concerns.
Strict contamination controls will be put in place, including measures to remove the risk of dust transfer into adjacent areas.
As part of the project, LST will also alter some administration space occupied by Southampton University’s child health team, enabling a link corridor to be extended from the new unit and connect back to the main hospital. This work will have to be carried out at a specific time to suit those staff most affected and as quickly as possible to minimise disruption.
The tight construction programme will span three months.
LST has a long-established relationship with the University Hospital Southampton and has recently handed over phase two of a major expansion project, located on a highly constrained site.
