Client: NSW Health Infrastructure
Location: Blacktown, NSW
Value: $20,000,000
Start date: March 2021
End date: February 2022
Project Profile
Health Infrastructure awarded Donnelley Constructions with the $20m project consisting of design finalisation and construction of a new 30-bed acute mental health facility. These Works involved construction within an existing Blacktown Hospital Campus, with some minor building extensions and external works.
The aim was to create stunning indoor and outdoor areas all designed to support and empower patients in their recovery, with features including recreation and fitness spaces, sensory and de-escalation rooms. The design included an abundance of natural light and beautiful artwork throughout the new unit.
Project Challenges
Working in a live hospital environment always poses a challenge to a project. Our approach to this is always one of consideration and professionalism ensuring minimal disruption to the hospital. Early warning notice was given to the hospital team to ensure all disruptions were approved before works commenced.
Changes to the scope of works after construction has commenced tests both the project management and site team’s ability significantly. In this project additional fire sprinklers were added to the scope to bring fire ratings to current standard, after the ceiling installation had commenced. The construction team handled this challenge successfully and adapted quickly.
The Covid-19 lockdown and subsequent restrictions posed a serious challenge to both the Hospital management, medical staff and site staff. This on top of an already extremely tight program made it imperative that Donnelley Constructions site teams communicated with all stakeholders in all situations to ensure they managed the above challenges to guarantee a smooth and safe delivery was achieved.