Nightingale Beds
The rapid transformation of a three-storey outpatient centre into a fully functioning 72-bed emergency hospital — delivered in just 22 days.
| Duration | 22 days |
|---|---|
| Sector | Healthcare / Emergency Pandemic Response |
| Cost | Undisclosed |
| Role | Project Management |
the brief
Convert a three-storey, PFI-owned outpatient centre into one of the region’s ‘Nightingale’ emergency hospitals — a fully functioning inpatient facility, delivered fast.
what studio mode did
We scoped the building and, working alongside our clinical colleagues, pulled together a brief in record time — and just went for it. There was no time for formal sign-offs or lengthy approval processes. We had to draw on all of our knowledge and experience to get this over the line. We worked hand-in-glove with a local contractor, producing hand-drawn sketches in a just-in-time process and doing whatever it took to get the building patient-ready.
We worked in a Dunkirk spirit. It’s probably the closest our generation will ever come to even a hint of what our grandparents went through in wartime. We were privileged to be part of the national effort — helping prepare the NHS for its greatest challenge since its foundation, against a diminishing timescale... Was it any good? We created a fully operational 72-bed hospital in 22 days. Question answered.
anything else?
Plenty. It’s not just about beds. We stood up a temporary pharmacy, materials management spaces, waste handling, linen and laundry provision, shower and washroom facilities, full catering services, and mortuary arrangements. Everything had to be considered — and fast.
“The project is a shining example of strong collaboration and teamwork between key stakeholders. From inception to completion, the project was delivered in just three weeks, a truly phenomenal achievement and demonstrative of what can be achieved with partnership working and an agile mindset”
— Building Better Healthcare Award Recognition
“We just wanted to highlight to you how amazing Mark has been in supporting us (the Adelaide Inpatient Team). Nothing has ever been too much trouble. He is always so helpful and supportive and manage to still keep smiling with all that we throw at him. He has been an integral part of our team and we have relied on his support so much.
We can’t thank him enough and although we say it to him (probably not as often as we should do) we wanted to put this in writing to you…”
any tricky bits?
Yes — the global pandemic. This was in the teeth of the first big lockdown. Builders’ merchants were closed, materials were in short supply, and much of the usual construction playbook had to be thrown out the window. We worked closely with the contractor, often reusing items from nearby closed buildings, designing on the fly — sometimes just making do with whatever materials we had to hand.