As part of our ongoing works with Morecambe Bay NHS Trust the Royal Lancaster Infirmary new Stroke Therapy Extension was the latest in a long list of collaborative projects.

This project took meticulous planning from a design, procurement and execution perspective due to the location of the works. The work site was within an existing internal courtyard within the centre of the hospital which was only accessible via the main corridor. The courtyard was also a sharded space with the Children’s Ward as an outside breakout / play area therefore made the project even more difficult.

The works were designed to make construction of the new extension as easy as possible however certain elements could not be designed around such as a new concrete slab, steel frame and breakthrough into the existing ward. The overall works included a new concrete floor slab, steel frame with timber frame infill panels, rockpanel external cladding, single ply flat roof, internal finishes, breakthrough into existing therapy room and a full M&E fit out including ventilation, LED lighting and specialist hoist installation.

Added to the works during construction as a full landscaping and external works scheme to provide a combined breakout and therapy area for staff and patients to use. This area included a mixture of different floor textures and finishes to assist with stroke rehabilitation, external steps again to assist with stroke rehabilitation and a pergola and seating area with planters for sitting and enjoying the quiet courtyard surroundings. As a gesture of goodwill Pinington Limited donated the pergola in the courtyard for patients and staff to enjoy for many years to come.

The project was a resounding success mainly due to the meticulous planning, design and teamwork with all involved.

Tamsin Kind, Team Leader for the Integrated Community Stroke Team at the RLI, said: “Our Stroke Service has been on an improvement journey for the last few years. This finally feels like the end of the journey in that we’ve actually got the rehab space that our patients require in order to fulfil their potential.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped along the way and made sure this happened. Our Capital Services Team have been absolutely amazing and the collaborative way they have worked with us and really listened has been fantastic. Patients and therapists have been involved, so we have exactly what we need. I’d also like to thank the Trust, because in a lot of places rehab spaces are being lost, so it’s very rare to have one built. There has been a real team spirit and I’m so proud of everyone.

“One of the benefits of having a much bigger space is that we can do groups with patients. There’s a benefit in terms of the amount of rehab we can do, but even more importantly, from a mental health point of view, it’s about getting everyone together so they can share their experiences, learn from each other and really encourage each other along the way.”