The design and build of a £98m state-of-the-art facility using the latest technology to deliver outstanding services to NHS and private patients across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Surrey.
Operating theatres
6
In-patient beds
48
Day-case cubicles
22
"The fact that we have been able to deliver on such a major project in the middle of a global pandemic and the most challenging times in our hospitals is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the project teams. Heatherwood is one of the UK’s best planned care facilities, providing non-emergency care to patients across the region. The building was designed to deliver planned care more efficiently and in a much-improved patient environment built for modern needs."
Nigel Foster, Executive Director of Finance and Estates Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Procured through the p21+framework, Kier was appointed by the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust to redevelop Heatherwood Hospital, replacing the current Heatherwood building which has stood in Ascot since the 1920s. The new hospital located on the adjacent woodlands site features six operating theatres, 48 inpatient beds and 22 day-case cubicles and provide operations, diagnostics and outpatient care to both NHS and private patients.
In line with our Building for a Sustainable World framework, our work on this project had to reflect Kier and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
As works commenced, a detailed logistical management plan was adhered to, to ensure that visits, traffic, and public parking at the existing hospital remained unaffected. The team utilised the latest technology and Building Information Modelling (BIM) throughout the construction phase whilst working with key stakeholders. Collaboration is a key value for Kier, and during the pandemic and national lockdown, physical site visits were limited so the team installed a 3D camera capture to take 360-degree photos across the site. This footage enabled the team to host virtual visits and inspections by the client, the architects, structural engineers, the Clerk of Works, and Considerate Constructors Scheme representatives. The team also used virtual reality (VR) headsets to provide hospital staff with an opportunity to see the new building and provide feedback on the different aspects of the building.
The project has been built to a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating and features a 188-panel photovoltaic system that can produce 64kW of electricity, the latest Trend BMS controls system controlling all heating, cooling, and ventilation as well as LED lightening fitted throughout the building with daylight and presence detection. The building also has been fitted with a robust Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) under the car park. Rainwater from the roof drains into a nearby balancing pool, preventing flooding and providing benefit to the local wildlife.
The 11,500m² development offers a range of first-class facilities to support planned, non-emergency care, with state-of-the-art specialist and general outpatient and operating procedure rooms, diagnostic facilities, operating theatres and wards designed for the best patient experience. In addition, it has a primary care hub and a private patient unit. This latest project supports the wider ambitions of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and will bring some of the best planned care services in the country to residents across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Surrey.
Heatherwood Hospital achieves a high level of energy efficiency and makes a positive contribution towards sustainability, renewable energy, and biodiversity. This was a zero cut and fill project with 10,000 metres cube of soil being repurposed plus, 95% of all site was waste was recycled.
Both the client and project teams’ commitment to working with the local community was evident with Heatherwood Hospital achieving excellent Considerate Constructors Scheme scores throughout the build. Kier also worked with its supply chain partners to help deliver the project and provided various work placements and job opportunities to the local community.
