Yorkon News Archives

02/08/2001 – New Endoscopy unit for Carmarthenshire NHS Trust delivered in five days

Speed, precision and minimising disruption to patient care were hallmarks of the operation to build the new Endoscopy Unit at West Wales General Hospital. A total of 38 building modules have been craned into position over the Accident and Emergency Unit in a challenging and time sensitive manoeuvre. It took only five days to install the modules for the scheme, which is costing in the region of £1m.

The steel-framed modular structure was built over a two-week period in York by pioneers of modular construction and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon. They were then transported to the hospital and craned into position to create a three-storey building for Carmarthenshire NHS Trust. This innovative method reduced the time to erect the building on site from two months to just a few days, without inconveniencing patients and with the benefit of earlier completion and occupancy of the new facilities.

Working space was extremely tight in an enclosed courtyard and cranage had to be halted for the arrival and departure of ambulances. The new unit will free up much needed space within the hospital, as well as provide a purpose-designed facility. The project is on schedule for completion in October 2001.

Commenting on the scheme, Peter Walton, General Manager of the Ambulatory Care Unit, said, “We chose the modular system because it was vital that the work of the hospital could continue with the least disruption possible. Yorkon's factory-based system gave us enormous advantages over conventional construction methods. The company devised a system of work around our service needs so we could maintain the full range of emergency services.”

He continued, “Yorkon's communication was excellent throughout the cranage operation and what had the potential to be a very difficult and disruptive period was completed on time and with no inconvenience at all to our patients.”

On the ground floor, the Endoscopy Unit will have two fully equipped procedure rooms, a treatment room, a two-stage recovery area and a patient and relative waiting area. The first and second floors have been specifically designed with a flexible layout and will accommodate a day hospital, plus additional theatre and recovery areas.