First phase of Women’s and Newborn Unit completed at Bradford Royal Infirmary

G&H Building Services has completed the first of three phases of its mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) work at one of the country’s busiest maternity units.

The scheme for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was delivered in partnership with main contractor Tilbury Douglas.

A two-storey 326 sqm extension was built at Bradford Royal Infirmary featuring two new maternity operating theatres and a rooftop plantroom.

The new unit replaces existing operating theatres and improves the overall obstetric and labour ward facilities.

G&H Building Services carried out the full design and build for the project that required intensive planning and coordination to ensure power remained live and secure at all times.

Heating, ventilation, lighting, which included medical pendant lighting, isolated power supply, uninterrupted power supply, data, a nurse call system, access controls and a fire alarm was installed.

Other services included two air handling units and a medical gas compound that were integrated into the hospital’s existing systems.

Generators were used for contingency while power was turned off, connected to the main infrastructure and then turned back on.

G&H Building Services Contract Engineer, Paul Moss, said: “Phase one was a very challenging scheme that required extensive coordination with the hospital and main contractor.

“Access points and space were very tight in what is an incredibly busy hospital site and we had to ensure there was no downtime when installing new power supplies.

“The new extension has transformed the facilities, equipping it with the best modern day facilities to help improve safety and the experience for women giving birth in the hospital.”

Phase two of the scheme is now under way with two existing maternity theatres being overhauled and transformed into high dependency units.