RFLPS delivers new Urgent Treatment Centre at Barnet Hospital

Case studies > Capital projects

The redevelopment and expansion of Barnet Hospital’s urgent and emergency care facilities, delivering a new purpose-built urgent treatment centre, dedicated adult and paediatric accident and emergency (A&E) access, expanded ambulance handover and triage areas within a modern, fit-for-purpose environment.

Multiple clinical areas have been created, a fit to sit area for mobile ambulance arrivals, and a new ambulatory majors unit. All ancillary and support accommodation has been fully reconfigured to improve patient flow, dignity, and staff wellbeing, while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery within the operational hospital environment.

Scheme highlights

RFLPS were commissioned to deliver a complex, multi-phase redevelopment programme for Barnet Hospital’s urgent and emergency care (UTC) business case. Phase 1, which created the new UTC, ambulatory majors, and front entrance, was completed and went live in November 2024. Phase 2 expanded the ambulance handover area by 400%, created a designated fit to sit area dedicated for mobile patients transported via ambulance. This phase also delivered a 50% increase in the overall waiting area capacity, a 100% increase in trolley spaces available, and created a dedicated accident and emergency (A&E) access for adults and paediatrics. The final phase will focus on expanding and refurbishing the paediatric A&E department. Throughout delivery, strong collaborative relationships were developed and extensive coordination was undertaken to maintain uninterrupted services in a challenging live environment.

  • Successfully managed multiple programme elements, including urology’s decant to Woodlands
  • Achieved full planning consent and expanded key facilities: 50% more waiting space, 400% more ambulance handover capacity
  • Introduced new workflows for therapies and created dedicated A&E access for adults and paediatrics
  • Delivered a better environment for patients and staff while freeing 13 trollies for acute assessment unit (AAU) use

Challenges

Obtaining legal approval (deed of variation) to devolve the project area from the private finance initiative (PFI) agreement was critical and required careful negotiation. The team also faced budget constraints that necessitated a reduction in the scheme’s scope to remain affordable. Working adjacent to live clinical areas meant that strict noise protocols and phased logistics were essential to minimise disruption to patient care. Due to the age and maintenance of existing infrastructure, isolations were complex and time-consuming to complete. Finally, a change in contractor partway through delivery, driven by affordability constraints, required re-tendering and careful management to maintain programme momentum.

“The RFLPS team completely transformed our urgent treatment centre, same day emergency care and emergency waiting room through the first phase of this capital project. This has led to not only a significant increase in our performance, but also an improvement overall for patient and staff experience and wellbeing. Though we faced many operational challenges through the design and construction process, the RFLPS teams support, efficiency and excellent communication were outstanding.”

Goreti Duarte, senior operational manager

Key Details

Location: Barnet Hospital
Status: Phase 1 – Complete, Phase 2 – Complete , Phase 3 – Ongoing
Cost: 10.35m
Completion Milestones: November 2024 – Phase 1 complete and July 2025 – Phase 2 complete

Services Provided

  • Project management, including management of town planning, decants, PFI engagement
  • Relocation and commissioning team
  • Clerk of works
  • NEC supervisor
  • Overview of legals to prepare deed of variation within PFI

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