Coventry’s flagship £22.5m health facility has reached a new high, with local partners celebrating the topping out of the building at a special ceremony this morning (Thursday December 9).
As a one-stop-shop for healthcare, the city centre health facility has been commissioned by NHS Coventry and is one of three high quality health centres to be delivered through Coventry Care Partnership, a public-private approach through the LIFT initiative (Local Improvement Finance Trust).
The facility will become home to a range of frontline NHS Coventry care services, including the out-of-hours service currently provided by the Walk-in Centre and some services currently based at Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital.
Situated on the old Hillfields Health Centre site, the new facility will also house local GP practices and a Lloyds pharmacy. Community health services will include psychological care and phlebotomy (blood) tests, a café and group rooms for meetings, counselling and clinics.
More than 30 VIPs climbed the five storeys to witness the chair of NHS Coventry, Alison Gingell, and chair of Coventry Care Partnership, George Marsh, mark the occasion by laying the final batch of concrete with trainee engineer, Dan Cahoon, who is sponsored by Galliford Try.
Hosted by Coventry Care Partnership, the event saw Councillor Linda Bigham from Coventry City Council join project leaders in acknowledging the importance of the building to the health, economy and architecture of the city.
Built-in efficiencies have won the structure an interim ‘Excellent’ rating according to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) – an international standard for best practice in sustainable design.
A combined heat and power boiler and ‘night purging’ will reduce carbon by nearly 23 per cent and maintain a comfortable temperature for staff and patients during hot weather – eco-friendly features which support a city-wide approach to energy efficiency as part of the recently launched Phoenix Low Carbon Enterprise.
Alison Gingell said: “Reaching the roofs on stage is a really exciting step for such a landmark development – the largest and most significant LIFT scheme yet.
“It’s an ideal time to take stock of our plans to drive healthcare in Coventry to the next level. Already we can see how this building will act as a marker for excellence, providing quality healthcare fit for modern living and taking services into the 21st century while fulfilling a longstanding promise to deliver more services from a city centre location.”
The building has been designed by shortlisted Healthcare Architect of the year Cressida Toon, of Sonnemann Toon architects. Taking inspiration from the rich industrial history of Coventry the buildings concept of cogs and whirring wheels define the exaggerated cantilevers, giving the mass of the building shape, context and interest.
George Marsh said: “This facility has been designed to reflect the colour and diversity of the surrounding area, creating a space where the local community can access quality healthcare from a range of service providers.
“There is a real enthusiasm from the city’s healthcare professionals who are keen to see their plans for the facility brought to life so that they can provide patients with first class healthcare from state-of-the-art premises.”
Plans also include green transport links and improved accessibility for patients, including a direct bus route from Pool Meadow bus station. The facility also includes a 54 space car park and 92 cycle facilities on site, with a further 120-space car park adjacent with 15 more cycle rack facilities.
Sean Bowles, Director of Operations from contractors Galliford Try, said: “We are starting to see the building take shape and elements of the intricate design are being realised, giving just a taste of how the final build will look and local communities a better idea of their new health centre.
“There are still some exciting developments to come and we look forward to continuing our work alongside Coventry Care Partnership in delivering groundbreaking buildings fit for the future.”
Councillor Linda Bigham added: “The LIFT approach provides the perfect opportunity to draw on both public and private expertise in regeneration and development of facilities that are fit for the future.
“I hope that seeing the structure in place will give Coventry an idea of how the new health centre will complement the existing area and the overall regeneration of the city as part of the Swanswell initiative.”
The facility is due for completion in January 2012. For more information visit www.coventrypct.nhs.uk/