Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London has appointed multi-disciplinary practice Pick Everard to design and manage a £500k refurbishment of its Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.
The A&E department at Moorfields will soon have a new, dedicated paediatric treatment area.

The internal environment is also being improved and existing facilities changed to ensure they comply with the latest design guidance and Quality Care Commission and National Service Framework standards.

All electrical, mechanical ventilation, fire and IT systems are being reviewed and maintenance programmes addressed.

Construction work is likely to start early next year, with completion in summer 2011.

Pick Everard's brief covers lead technical consultant and project management, building surveying, building services consultancy and space planning.

Pick Everard's project manager Adrian Ceney explains that the most challenging aspect will be minimising disruption to the high profile A&E service while refurbishment work takes place.

'We're working closely with Moorfields to co-ordinate a phased programme that keeps the project progressing efficiently, but ensures the A&E department continues to function normally.'

Pick Everard is working on a number of similar projects around the UK, for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and for Leicester City NHS Trust on the refurbishment and extension of the Sayeed Medical Centre.

In Scotland, Pick Everard is working on designs for a new health centre in Forres for NHS Grampian and on several projects at Raigmore Hospital for NHS Highland including the redesign of operating theatres.