Newest ParalympicsGB partner races to help build vital NHS Nightingale Hospitals

ParalympicsGB’s newest partner Sir Robert McAlpine has been at the forefront of helping the NHS fight the Covid-19 pandemic working as part of a team to build Nightingale Hospitals – including one in Manchester completed in just 13 days.

The NHS Nightingale Hospital North West at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, opened on 13 April. It was delivered by IHP (Integrated Health Projects), Sir Robert McAlpine’s healthcare joint venture with Vinci Construction UK, working alongside NHS staff, the Army, Mott MacDonald, Archus, BDP and NG Bailey.

Some 1,000 people have been involved in the project which has seen work going on around the clock to complete the 750-bed hospital from scratch within the Grade II listed building.

The hospital, is equipped to receive coronavirus patients from across the region who do not need intensive care but still require treatment. This releases crucial critical care beds in existing hospitals.]

IHP were asked to start work on Saturday 28 March and within 12 hours their team was up and running in liaison with the NHS and the Army. Handed over just 13 days after construction began, the facility’s 14,500m2 of flooring could cover Wembley stadium twice over.

Professor Michael McCourt, the chief executive of the Nightingale thanked all of the contractors and suppliers involved: “It has been incredibly humbling to see all the hard work that has gone into building a hospital out of nothing and in such a short period of time.

“This hospital will play a crucial role in caring for Covid-19 patients and supporting hospitals across the region. By providing care for patients who no longer need to be in a critical care environment we will be helping to make sure the highest-level critical care beds are available for those patients who need them. This hospital will help save lives. On behalf of the NHS, the patients this hospital will care for and their families, I want to say thank you.”

Sir Robert McAlpine has also been involved in converting a sports hall into a hospital in Preston, while as part of another joint venture has also built a Nightingale Hospital in Jersey.

Sir Robert McAlpine Chief Executive Paul Hamer said: “Being able to rally our team in support of the NHS Nightingale hospitals, including Manchester, has been momentous. This is a time to work collaboratively for the greater good and there is no better example of construction making a positive and lasting difference for society than Integrated Health Project’s work on surge centres.”

Mike Sharrock, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, said: “We are immensely proud to have Sir Robert McAlpine as one of our partners and their work on the NHS Nightingale Hospitals to add vital patient capacity to the battle against Covid-19 is truly remarkable.

“Their core values of inclusivity and diversity are ones which align very closely to our own and are fundamental to the Paralympic movement.”