Wishaw District General Hospital
Client: Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Project Value: £103 million
Construction Period: 32 months

The design, construction and operation of a major healthcare facility by Sir Robert McAlpine.

The team consisted of regular supply chain partners resulting in the benefits of established relationships from the start. Trust personnel were involved from early days with input of requirements based on best medical practice. This led to real ownership of the product and enthusiasm for its operation.

Clean conditions were achieved through best practice originally developed by Sir Robert McAlpine for microelectronics plants. Microbiological tests, undertaken in operating theatres and similar critical areas, achieved the highest standards.

The layout, based on low-rise blocks around courtyards, provided maximum daylight and natural ventilation. Off-site prefabrication was used, particularly for wall and roof panels (achieving a very early watertight building) and plant room installations. Internally, wet trades were kept to an absolute minimum (eg no floor screeds as a result of high precision concrete floors). The 633-bed hospital was opened only 32 months after the start of the design and construct contract.