Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has chosen South Yorkshire-based Hickton to provide Clerk of Works services on its new MRSA laboratory at Leeds General Infirmary.

The company has provided its services to the Trust for many years and was therefore able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the project requirements

The Trust commissioned the services of a specialist Clerk of Works practice because it is an excellent way of maintaining the very highest standards expected on these types of schemes.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals has numerous projects, each of which has its own specific requirements, and is delivered by a team of project managers and architects. However, as members of the team have responsibility across a variety of schemes, Hickton’s Clerks of Works ensure that all parties are kept fully informed of quality issues on individual sites.

The Hickton Clerk of Works acts as the eyes and ears of the Trust, managers and architects, ensuring they are kept fully informed and that the projects reached planned outcomes.

“All hospital building projects have to be right first time in terms of quality and timescales,” explained Terry Harrison, Clerk of Works at Hickton. “A hospital has to remain operational 24/7 and so it is vital to ensure effective harmonization of all parties involved on site.”

Hickton’s Clerks of Works provided weekly reports to the Trust, hospital project manager and architect on the Leeds General Infirmary MRSA laboratory project. As well as updating them on issues of quality and progress, it highlighted issues with individual trades, along with any supplier issues. The project was completed on time and to budget.

Day to day activities carried out by Hickton included site meetings, technical inspection, handover and snagging, which is crucial on upgrades or refurbishments. This involved Hickton working closely with the main contractor, as well as all subcontractors on the MRSA laboratory project.

Terry Harrison continues: “A hospital is not like any other construction project in that it can never be shut down like an office block refurbishment. Keeping the building fully functional whilst work is carried out therefore requires a huge amount of co-ordination and teamwork, which is why a Clerk of Works is essential.”

The highly complex nature of modern healthcare developments and the very highest standards required by hospitals means that the role of the Clerk of Works can only be provided by the most experienced people. All Hickton’s Clerks of Works have years of experience in the construction industry, with many specialising in healthcare projects.

Hickton is also currently providing Clerk of Works services on the refurbishment of the Histopathology and Endoscopy departments at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds.