Offsite construction firm Premier Modular has won a contract to build modular buildings for 25 covid-19 testing sites across the UK.
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.
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.
