Premier Modular expects the contract to be extended to double the number of sites over the coming weeks.
The Department of Health and Social Care has declined to reveal
the value of the contract, although it is understood to be a “multi-million-pound”
deal.
The first buildings supplied by Premier arrived on site in
Bolton and opened the following afternoon.
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Each standalone test site has a 110sqm purpose-designed
testing building pre-installed with eight patient cubicles, hygienic walls,
separate staff entrance and exit, test collection and drop off zones and a
family testing room. Premier’s contract also includes the supply of welfare
facilities in three buildings to accommodate a PPE room, stores, test
preparation, staff rest room, kitchenette and toilets, as well as essential
services – water supply, waste water collection and electricity generators.
Modular buildings have already been installed by Premier at
testing sites in Bolton, Glasgow, Nottingham and Havant. The contract was
procured through the Crown Commercial Service and will be completed this
autumn.
David Harris, managing director of Premier Modular, said:
“We are very pleased to be playing our part in the national effort to support
the government in increasing covid-19 testing capabilities in the current
pandemic. This is a vital initiative to help safeguard public health. It is
also a fantastic example of how modular construction can help the NHS respond
to local needs and an urgent requirement to rapidly increase capacity.”
George Swanepoel, project manager for the Havant centre at
testing service provider Sodexo, said: “This is a well-designed building which
is highly efficient for maintaining patient flows and social distancing. The
modular solution is easy to keep clean, is not exposed to the elements and is a
safe and comfortable environment for our staff to work in. The building
installation went very smoothly in just a few hours. This testing site will
have a really positive impact on the local community.”
Earlier in the year, Premier Modular delivered 1700m2 of modular
buildings for the Nightingale Hospital in Exeter in just four weeks.
