Portakabin Works Around the Clock to Help Flood-Hit Community in Cockermouth

08/12/2009

 

The Portakabin rapid-response team has installed an interim building for two Cockermouth GP surgeries, which serve 15,000 patients, after their buildings were destroyed in the Cumbria floods.

Working over a weekend and in adverse weather conditions, Portakabin Hire Division has just delivered and erected a 624 sqm two-storey building at Cockermouth Community Hospital as part of the major recovery and restoration plan.  The new facility has 21 consulting rooms, offices and patient waiting areas, and will provide the GP surgeries with purpose-designed accommodation for two and a half years.

Despite site constraints and challenging ground conditions, this fast-track solution will ensure both GP practices are up and running in their new facility before Christmas - just 15 working days after Portakabin received the instruction.  Since the floods, the surgeries have been operating from inside the hospital.

A 160 tonne crane was used to lift 22 building modules over a hedge into the highly restricted site.

Dr John Howarth, a Cockermouth GP and Clinical Director at NHS Cumbria, said, "The move to new interim buildings will create much-needed extra space for GP patients and will enable the hospital to begin operating outpatient clinics again."

"The speed at which this modular building has been designed and installed is testimony to the fantastic work of NHS Cumbria's GPs, nurses, IT technicians and the primary care trust's estates team on the ground."

Mike Williams, General Manager of Portakabin Hire Division, said, "Off-site construction really comes into its own in emergency situations and our team has done a tremendous job in helping to get Cockermouth and the surrounding areas up and running again following the flooding."

"We have already provided several office buildings in Cumbria within 24 hours of the floods and one in just two hours, to businesses and public sector organisations including Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria County Council and James Walker & Co, and Lawsons Haulage."

"Our local Hire Centre has pulled out all the stops to deliver this building to the most demanding timescale and working under difficult site conditions, ready for the final stages of fitting out and commissioning."

David Crellin, Property Manager at NHS Cumbria, said, "We recently used Portakabin to supply a modular building for Penrith Health Centre and so were confident in their ability, understanding of our needs, and resources to deliver this urgent project following the flood disaster."

Portakabin is also installing all data communications, fire alarm system and furniture for the entire building.

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