Improvements for medical imaging at Circle Health Group hospitals
Parias Construction and Interiors (PCI) asked SJD to provide the electrical solutions for refurbishments to improve patient services at several hospitals owned by Circle Health Group.
Circle Health Group is the UK’s largest national network of private hospitals and the refurbishments focussed on upgrades to their medical imaging facilities.The fast-track projects were designed and implemented successfully over a phased six-week period and the long-term collaboration between SJD and PCI allowed them to develop a tried and tested formula for the upgrades. However, every hospital building had its own idiosyncrasies and so a detailed intrusive survey was required at each location.
Prior to any work, existing distribution boards, lighting, and power installations were all assessed to determine what was required, and to prepare for the design and containment of the new services. The scheme needed to be to the exact specifications of the imaging equipment manufacturers, GE Healthcare and FujiFilm, ready for them to connect and commission their equipment. The installations were delicate and required precision, so great attention to detail was needed and all the electrical work had to comply with the guidance in HTM regulations.
In line with the manufacturers’ specifications, SJD also installed power distribution unit (PDU) boards, containment and cabling for the safety controls such as warning lights and door locks to prevent unauthorised entry to the imaging rooms. Control desks, protected by lead-lining, also had separate controls for radiographers to activate dimmable lighting for patient comfort.
At Shelburne Hospital, in High Wycombe, SJD was asked to help them improve the diagnostic imaging department by upgrading the distribution board to create the electrical capacity needed for a new X-ray machine.
Projects at healthcare facilities require very careful co-ordination to minimise any electrical downtime, and the team had to consider the risk classifications of each area to ensure power could be maintained appropriately. A temporary supply was installed to ensure items such as critical medical equipment and fridges for medicines wouldn’t be affected.
Circle Health Group’s hospitals are businesses, so it was important that SJD’s work didn’t hinder their day-to-day work. To guarantee minimal disruption, all preparatory work was synchronised with the hospital’s management, and the intrusive work carried out on a Sunday, with medical equipment re-energised and re-calibrated in time for the hospital to reopen on the following Monday without affecting services.
Other upgrades took place at Circle Health Group’s Chiltern Hospital in Buckinghamshire where mammography and ultrasound facilities were improved. At this hospital the project was undertaken in three phases because of the complicated layout of the buildings.
Similar projects were completed at Hendon Hospital in north London, Meriden Hospital in Coventry and at Bath Clinic, where SJD upgraded two distribution boards serving the entire imaging department. The works had to be carried out over a weekend and on a very tight time scale to ensure the department could re-open the following Monday.
Careful assessment and liaison with the imaging machine providers was required to enable equipment to be re-calibrated after shutting down the power to complete the installation.
SJD also worked on an intervention room at Bath Clinic where dimmable lighting and emergency backup systems were installed to ensured that the correct light levels could be achieved should there be a failure of supply. SJD provided general power and services for door access and the fire alarm system. The scheme also included the power supply for ultrasound equipment and controls for a ‘room in use’ light.
Each hospital had a bespoke plan with careful coordination between PCI and building management for a successful outcome.
r for critical services such as life support, complex treatment, and emergency lighting.
Liam Hynes, PCI’s Project Manager said: “SJD did a brilliant job. There wasn’t lots of information to work from and we had some unforeseen issues, but the team was brilliant. SJD often worked very early in the morning or late at night to get things done without disturbing the hospital’s activities. They were very accommodating and reactive to last minute requests and had the flexibility and right attitude to deal with the required shutdowns well, making it all very straight forward so the project ran smoother.
“With specialist lighting needed for treatment areas, corridors and emergency lighting, SJD used their knowledge of the hospital to help the client get the appropriate specification. The team ensured everything went smoothly making it easier for other contractors to take over.”
Marcus Parias, Operations Director at PCI said: “SJD are an integral part of our supply chain and a contractor that we have worked alongside for over 10 years. We are in no doubt that this relationship will last for another 10 years and beyond.
“Their communication and quality of work is never in doubt, as a company from management level down to site teams, they are the partner that we feel most in sync with as we continue to deliver great projects together.”
During the 10-year relationship SJD has worked with PCI on variety of projects including the installation of a new CT Scanner and associated control room, with a new office, reporting room and trolley bays at Bedford hospital. At the Chiltern Hospital in Buckinghamshire SJD worked with PCI to provide power, containment and lighting along with the electrical infrastructure for their mammography unit in line with HTM standards, and at Meriden Hospital in Coventry, SJD provided the power distribution, containment, small power, lighting and emergency lighting for the refurbishment of an x-ray room in preparation for the installation of a new Fujifilm FDR visionary imaging system.
