Former film studios ‘Bay Studios’ which was also a former factory is to be converted into a field hospital in the fight against Covid-19. The building, in Swansea will provide up to 850 beds in total and will be a much-welcomed addition to the growing number of field hospitals that are being quickly constructed to cope with the Coronavirus outbreak.
The building is 11,000 square meters and on one level but Kier will be Swansea Council to build a new structure inside the existing building to house the new field hospital. The original building infrastructure’s studio will benefit from improvements to heating and water and electric supplies so that it is fully operational to support the NHS.
Time is of the essence and Kier is now working onsite and working with local contractor TRJ and local suppliers to ensure that the hospital is ready for use within a month.
Anthony Irving, Managing Director for Kier Regional Building Western and Wales said “Our aim is to help the NHS at this vital time and support its efforts in response to COVID-19.
“I am immensely proud of our teams who are working tirelessly to deliver the field hospital at Bay Studios in Swansea. Working alongside Swansea Council and with our local supply chain, this is a collaborative effort at a time when our communities need it most.”
Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart said “The spread of coronavirus has brought significant fresh challenges. The council, working with partners such as Kier, is doing everything it can to support our communities.
“We are transforming the Bay Studios into a surge hospital to help the NHS deal with the expected upsurge in the number of cases locally.
“This is a massive project because the building has been empty for years and it is a million miles away from what you would expect of a hospital.”
Tracy Myhill, chief executive of Swansea Bay University Health Board, added: “I am grateful and extremely proud of the way we have come together as a region to meet the challenges of this pandemic.
“There is a real can-do attitude being demonstrated, and people are determined to do everything possible to safeguard our population.”