Nightingale Associates and Tribal’s Health Planners collaborate to win the first Frameworks Scotland project

14 January 2009

£120 million 100% single-bedroom hospital is first under new NHS Framework.

Tribal’s leading architectural practice, Nightingale Associates have worked in collaboration with Tribal’s market leading health planners to win the first contract tendered in Scotland under the NHS procurement initiative, Frameworks Scotland, with Principal Supply Chain Partner, BAM Construction.

The £120 million redevelopment of Dumfries Royal Infirmary Hospital, commissioned by NHS Dumfries and Galloway, will be the first in Scotland to feature 100% single bedroom accommodation and will entirely transform the existing building. The hospital, which will be funded by the Scottish Government, will include a brand new 200-bed ward block and modern 23-hour ambulatory care and outpatient facilities as well as improved intensive care, emergency care and support accommodation. Nightingale Associates (part of Tribal Group) will also work on the interior design and landscaping of the development, whilst Tribal’s health planners will be working with clinicians to finalise the clinical brief and project scope, support stakeholder engagement in the design process, and deliver a successful business case.

“This is a significant step forward for both Nightingale Associates – being our first project in Scotland – and for wider healthcare initiatives in Scotland. The design of this hospital needs to set a benchmark for future developments and to set new standards in healthcare design.
“100% single bedroom hospitals are a new and much discussed concept; therefore it is vital that we build on our extensive research completed for the Designed for Life 'pathfinder' projects, both of which include 100% single room wards. The pathfinders will be the first purpose built 100% single room ward hospitals to be completed in the UK. As such Nightingale Associates is well-placed to work closely with the clients to develop a functional and innovative 21st century hospital for NHS Dumfries & Galloway.”

Kieren Morgan, Health Development Director, Nightingale Associates

Tribal and Nightingale Associates’ recent appointment onto Frameworks Scotland, in November 2008, now means they are appointed on all three UK NHS health procurement frameworks, including ProCure21 in England and Designed for Life in Wales.

“I’m delighted that this commission follows on from previously well-received support by Tribal to NHS Dumfries and Galloway. Their project team recognised that we were offering an established team with good working relationships and a tried and tested approach. This project offers a wonderful opportunity to improve the quality of care to the people of Dumfries and Galloway by sensitively improving the hospital that they value so much”.

Craig Dixon, Director of Consulting, Tribal

The design process for the Dumfries Royal Infirmary Hospital has now begun and is expected to be complete in March 2010. Construction work is due to begin onsite in April 2010 with completion anticipated for April 2013.