Nightingale Hospital, Whiteabbey

Dowds Construction were appointed as Principal Contractor on this fast-track project working alongside TODD Architects Ltd as Architect and lead consultant on this project with their integrated Design Team. The appointment of the Nightingale contract follows the successful completion of Whiteabbey Endoscopy Ward in May 2020 and MEP works of the North Block at Altnagelvin Hospital in April 2020.

Whiteabbey Hospital is the home of the new Nightingale facility which will have up to 100 beds to help ease the burden on hospitals as it allows for the rehabilitation of Covid patients. The creation of this vital enhanced rehabilitation facility was only announced in September and had the dual challenge of being delivered within a tight programme and on the site of a working hospital. Drawing on their extensive experience from across the UK, the team at TODD Architects and the Construction and Building Services teams at Dowds Group oversaw the process of delivering the 100-bed scheme safely and at speed, whilst also ensuring the facilities met the strict healthcare requirements of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

Andrew Murray, Director at TODD Architects said: “The successful delivery of this vital healthcare facility was the product of an incredible collaboration between the Design team, Main Contractor Dowds Group, the Northern Trust and CPD Health Projects on a ‘live’ hospital site. This monumental team effort has achieved the highest possible standard of healthcare services within a tight timeframe. It has been amazing to witness the whole construction industry come together with purpose to support the tireless work of the NHS in this time of crisis.”

Nicholas McKee, Construction Divisional Manager at Dowds Group added: “We were delighted to once again partner TODD Architects on another landmark Hospital project. The works necessitated completion to an exceptionally high quality and one of the tightest construction programmes we have ever faced. We are very proud of the full site team who went over and above to do their part to contribute to Northern Ireland’s fight against Covid-19.”