Published date: 29 January 2021
Repurposing non-clinical areas for COVID-19 vaccinations
South West London
Background
Site: The Wilson Hospital, Mitcham
Customers: South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust; South West London ICS
NHSPS representatives: Peter Roach - Minor Works Manager, Andrew Evans- Senior Portfolio Optimisation Manager, Nicola Shirley - Facilities Coordinator and Keir Emms - Senior Property Manager
Customer feedback
You and your colleagues have done an astounding job in the past week. Thank you very much. Clearly we wouldn’t be vaccinating 975 patients this week without your help. Quite literally a life-saver!
NHS South West London CCG
Challenge
We were asked to repurpose several non-clinical areas (c 600 m2) of a hospital in South West London to support the delivery of COVID19 vaccinations to the local population with one weeks notice.
Solution
Through the immediate co-ordination of both our Asset Management and Operational teams, we:
- reassigned contractors to work around the clock to expedite an existing scheduled works programme for 23rd December back to 14th December
- implemented a comprehensive facilities management delivery programme and completed a TAW agreement
- engaged with Police and local schools to ensure site access/egress was suitable and local roads accessible;
- worked hand in hand on site during week 1 to help orientate staff and patients
- re-routed the site to ensure safe queuing system, in tandem with the hospital still delivering their mental health services
Impact
Strong, collaborative relationships with our customers and good communication enabled us to get the site operational within the one week timeframe requested.
The site is now set up to support about 800 vaccinations a day, which will increase to a target of 1,400 a day once service expansion completes.
This has cemented some already strong relationships with the ICS and local trust.
