Balfour Beatty, working in collaboration with The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, has delivered three clinical simulation days in the new A&E department currently under construction at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow.
These have given staff and stakeholders such as the London ambulance service the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the £21m building before moving in to what will be one of London’s busiest A&E departments.
Over 100 people took part across the three simulation days, including Trust staff, hospital support staff and the emergency services. In addition, a completed treatment room, with clinical equipment and trollies, as well as the ambulance parking site, were included in the simulation events which helped staff to prepare and agree final details to ensure the new department will function effectively.
Balfour Beatty is responsible for the construction of the new A&E department. The pavilion style building will also provide patients with an entrance, waiting area and drop off area with direct and level access to the car park. Enclosed corridors will connect the new building to the main hospital including acute admissions, paediatrics, the intensive treatment unit and operating theatres. A lower level will provide offices, seminar rooms and the main plant room.
Tina Benson, Director of Operations for The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The clinical simulation days organised with the help of Balfour Beatty have given our staff a great head start for the opening of the new A&E. The location of the new A&E will mean that patients have improved access to other emergency services, such as acute assessment, intensive treatment units, operating theatres and wards. For patients with a life-threatening emergency, everything they need will be closer by.”
Robert Bradley, Balfour Beatty Project Manager, said: “We have developed a close working partnership with the Trust during the project. In addition to the successful clinical simulation days, each week, over the last five months, staff have had an opportunity to tour the site to familiarise themselves with the space. It has been invaluable to all parties to engage with the project, as we work together to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit the residents of Brent, Harrow and the surrounding areas.”
Construction of the new A&E department at Northwick Park Hospital is scheduled for completion in October 2014.