€6.3 million new generation mental health residential unit for Clonmel
Kill, Kildare, 9 February 2010 - HSE and BAM have signed contracts worth €6.3 million for the construction of a new generation Mental Health Residential Unit for Clonmel. The new unit will incorporate HIQA Guidelines based on the principle that people with disabilities in residential services should be enabled to lead full lives, comparable to those of their fellow citizens.
The Clonmel unit, one of a number to be constructed under a four year framework arrangement, is the first to reach construction stage.
Award criteria included all aspects of best design for patient centered care, value for money, compliance with latest best-practice operational policies and long term building sustainability.
Highest standards in design and construction, with innovation to avoid an institutional atmosphere and to generate a space and landscape, which contributes to patient healing and well being, were requirements of HSE. The building will be universally accessible to all patients, staff and public.
The 3,400 square meter building will be a single storey timber-framed modular design, which can be added to or adapted with additional modules, for future expansion.
'We believe that this household model could be adopted to provide a solution for mental health residential units around the country; the elemental form adapts easily to suit any particular site layout or configuration', said Leo Harmon, main board director with BAM.
BAM will construct this new 40 bed unit on the grounds of St Josephs Hospital in Clonmel. BAM have extensive healthcare construction experience including: Community Nursing Units at St Mary's, Phoenix Park; St Josephs, Raheny; St Vincents, Fairview; Farranlea, Cork and Ballincollig, Cork. Additionaly, NPRO Oncology Units at St James's and Beaumont Hospitals; Harolds Cross Hospice; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Clontarf; Maternity Hospital, Holles Street; Curaheen Hospital, Cork; Beaumont Residential Care Unit, Cork; Millbrook Adult Day-care Centre and St Johns Hospital, Enniscorthy are all BAM projects.
Further information: BAM Building Ltd, Mike Jones, Business Development Director, 045 886 400.
|
John Moloney TD, Minister of State at Health and Children, with special responsibility for equality, disability issues and mental health Leo Harmon, Board Director, BAM Contractors. |
Seamus Moore - Health Manager South Tipperary, Brian Gilroy - National Director of Commercial and Support Services HSE, John Moloney TD - John Moloney TD, Minister of State at Health and Children, with special responsibility for equality, disability issues and mental health, Leo Harmon, Board Director, BAM Contractors, and Mattie McGrath, Fianna Fail TD South Tipperary. |
Note to Editors:
BAM Building Limited is the wholly owned main building contracting division of BAM Contractors Group. BAM Building ranks among the top 6 building contractors operating nationally and has successfully delivered quality projects of the largest scale for the most prestigious clients.
Design background
The design has been developed to provide a restful and calm environment for the patients on a number of levels.
The patient rooms are design to face onto landscaped garden area which will be development with individual familiar trees and planning.
The internal layout of the rooms is designed to allow both clear visual connection to the patient and provision of personal space in the form of an internal patient zone to each room.
The layout of the proposed module is also design to ensure that, for the most part, the patient bedrooms are facing East, South or South West and will enjoy sunlight to rooms throughout the year.
The internal courtyard spaces are protected, sheltered and secure. The subdivision of the 20 bed household will help to reduce noise levels and should encourage the development of a more personal domestic character.
The design of the buildings and landscape and the selection of materials have been considered with a view to reducing long-term maintenance requirements and also help reduce the running costs by making operation of the building and patient experience and outcomes as efficient as possible.