Construction consultants Haldons Limited celebrates the completion of the newly-refurbished Sidmouth Victoria Hospital.

A multi-discipline firm with offices in Exeter and Torquay, Haldons provide a wide range of professional services in many sectors across the South West region and throughout the UK as a whole. These include Architectural Design, Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Management and Premises Compliance.

Haldons recently completed the extensive 1.25m refurbishment project at Sidmouth’s community hospital for Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, working closely with the Trust’s in-house facilities team. Haldons’ Director Mark Coton was the lead designer, contract administrator and CDM Co-ordinator. The company also provided cost management services, and the build took 52 weeks to complete with Sidmouth-based contractors, Skinner Construction. The refurbishment programme provided a new entrance canopy; reception; waiting room; kitchen; two minor injuries treatment rooms plus an office and gym for the MSK (musculoskeletal) department as well as three treatment rooms. In addition,there is new office accommodation and a treatment area for the occupational therapy teamfor ADL (Activities of Daily Living).

Martina Harrison, Clinical Manager for MSK physiotherapy (Eastern area) for the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, says: “It has been a real partnership with Haldons, Skinner Construction and Graham Vincent and the Trustees. We all worked together towards the same outcome of creating a space shared by OT and musculoskeletal *(See notes to editor)(MSK) physiotherapy, which works well with patients. We were very confident in Haldons’ ability to deliver and they were very professional throughout. We developed a relationship of trust with Mark, who really understood the needs of the staff, and working with Andrew Sturgess the Contracts Manager of Skinner Construction and his team was a delightful experience.”

The latest development is the fifth phase of a project which originally began 25 years ago with a total spend of 4.5m, with virtually all the money being raised in the local community.

The Sidmouth Victoria Hospital Comforts Fund initially put in 750,000, with Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust contributing 200,000. The Comforts Fund Trustees had an appeal to raise an additional 255,000 by means of concerts, Flag Day, fete, open gardens, donations and legacies.

Graham Vincent, Comforts Fund Chairman, comments: “Matron, Emma Bagwell, had to produce a clinical case for Phase 5, and I had to present a business case for Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. Extra fundraising activities were carried out by Comforts Fund as building works were happening. It has been a challenging but enjoyable project and it has created a real community spirit.” He adds: “Haldons were very responsive and willing to review plans to make sure we were within budget. The staff had a lot to put up with keeping the hospital functioning throughout. Haldons developed a good relationship with the Trust and we are looking forward to working with them again.The Comforts Fund‘s next project is to upgrade the courtyard garden for patients to sit with family and visitors, which is due to be completed by Christmas 2014 and will make a great deal of difference to the enjoyment and recovery of the patients.”

www.haldons.co.uk

http://www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/services/community/sidmouth/

Published in Herald Express

Published in Tiverton Gazette