Design Of North Hospital Gains National Recognition

11th November 2011

The new Migdale Hospital at Bonar Bridge in Sutherland has been highly commended in the annual NHSScotland Environment, Estates and Facilities Awards.
It was entered in the Design Award category and the commendation was announced at the recent Scottish Healthcare Conference in Crieff.

The new facility, which opened at the end of June this year, offers patients spectacular views over the Kyle of Sutherland to the hills beyond. There are 10 inpatient beds for GP patients and 10 for older adult psychiatry patients, plus two beds which can be used flexibly between the two units. The accommodation is all in single en-suite bedrooms. There are also facilities for outpatients, particularly physiotherapy.

The building was designed by Glasgow-based architects Austin-Smith:Lord and built by the infrastructure, support services and construction group Robertson.

Locality General Manager, Georgia Haire, said: "We are delighted with the new building, which is enabling us to provide our patients with the best possible environment in which to receive the care and treatment they need.

"And we are very pleased that its design has been recognised in this way. It is a real boost for everyone who has been involved in this project."

Project Manager, John Bogle, explained that the hospital was built to be very energy efficient and has an Energy Performance Certificate rating of B+. The building is very well insulated and as airtight as possible, and its thermal performance exceeds the requirements of the building regulations.

Mr Bogle said: "The wall insulation used was formed from recycled newspaper. The windows are triple glazed in inpatient areas and the primary heat source is a biomass boiler using locally sourced woodchip.

"The energy strategy was chosen after comparing the total cost of the various options over the life of the heating system and initial results show that the building is delivering the designed energy performance, as well as healthcare benefits for patients."

He added that the building is orientated to take maximum advantage of available light and is predominantly naturally ventilated.

Mr Bogle said: "The promotion of natural ventilation and making maximum use of daylight reduces the requirement for mechanical ventilation and lighting, which reduces capital and life cycle costs.

"All services installations are controlled and monitored to reduce energy usage. The exterior of the building is part clad in sustainably sourced Scottish larch. There is also a natural stone feature at the main entrance built using locally sourced stone and the render is sourced within the Highlands."

He added that the construction strategy involved reusing rock excavated from the site by means of on-site crushing. This crushed rock was then used as infill material for the car park and roads thereby greatly reducing the carbon footprint of the construction and the number of lorries travelling through the village.

A comprehensive waste segregation and recycling policy was maintained during construction. This included offering scrap wood to local householders as firewood, which was very much appreciated.

And much of the topsoil was reused on site with the small surplus being supplied to a local day care centre and a local farmer for land reclamation.

The building is constructed over two floors, although the slope of the ground ensures that the upper floor has level access to the external gardens at the rear. A local support group has been instrumental in designing and fundraising for these patient gardens. Locally sourced marble chips feature strongly in the design and planters will be added in Spring of next year.