Branch News Item

Branch: Yorkshire and North East
Date: 05 Sep 2007
Title: Site Visit - New Oncology Wing

On the evening of Wednesday 5th September 2007, eighteen members of the Yorkshire & N.E. Branch attended a WiP MEMBERS ONLY site visit for the New Oncology Wing at St James's University Hospital in Leeds. This will be Europe’s largest oncology centre at 707,500 ft2/ 67,000 m² and the hospital is due to open in January 2008.

The event was proudly sponsored by Bovis Lend Lease, who were 151 weeks through the 165 week construction programme of the £174 million Capex project.
The overall project includes design, construction, provision and upkeep of medical equipment and life-cycle maintenance services over the 30-year PFI concession period. Bovis Lend Lease (BLL) hosted a similar WiP function in 2006 and many attendees were keen to return to this site and be updated on progress.

WiP members were introduced to key BLL project personnel who hosted the event: Phil Parnell (Project Director), Ged Simmonds (Project Manager) and Brendan Crosby (Snr Construction Manager); as well as Leonie Thomas who organised our visit. Following introductions in the site meeting room, BLL presented a video on the project progress and background, including an update on the linear accelerators for radiotherapy treatment which was discussed at the previous site visit when the walls providing the density were being constructed.

All then gathered their PPE and commenced the site walk-around with our hosts. WiP attendees were impressed by the project and also by the knowledge of our hosts who related interesting points on the rationale for much of the hospital design against its functions, as well as the human face of those undertaking cancer treatment. In parallel, attendees provided some challenging questions on funding and constructing hospitals back to BLL, particularly from those who have specialised in the health sector. Only a fraction of the site area could be covered in an hour, but WiP members were hosted through numerous areas including a major foyer, doctors suites/offices, surgery and various wards.

Following the site visit, we returned to BLL’s site meeting room for a buffet and chance to network. Very positive feedback has been received from this site visit and many members thanked BLL personally for a very enjoyable and informative site visit.
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WiP members from the following firms (listed alphabetically) were represented at the site visit:

• Aedas Architects Ltd
• Bank of Scotland Corporate - Real Estate
• BWB Consulting Ltd
• Eversheds
• Harris Partnership
• Inventures
• Lunn Ventures Group Limited
• University of Newcastle (Student, Town Planning)
• Turley Associates
• Turner & Townsend
• Vecta Homes

Further details

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