Project Details

Bupa appointed Virtus to their framework to provide Project Management and Quantity Surveying services for works across their estate of care homes, offices and clinics. Working closely with Bupa’s internal Programme Management team, we have delivered care home and clinic projects across the United Kingdom. Funding, occupation and regulatory compliance provide a challenging set of requirements in an occupied environment where health and safety and security are of paramount importance. We have successfully delivered the following nine care home projects to date and continue to broaden our relationship with the client;

• Queensmount – Bournemouth – Wet Room Refurbishment
• River Court – Watford – Full Refurbishment
• Manor Court – Southall – Light Refurbishment
• Crawfords Walk – Chester – Full Refurbishment
• Collingwood Court – Clapham – Full Refurbishment
• Ashley House – Cirencester – Full Refurbishment
• Gorton Parks – Manchester – Full Refurbishment
• Middlesex Manor – Watford – Light Refurbishment
• Holyport Lodge – Maidenhead – Full Refurbishment

Care Home Refurbishment Programmes provide an opportunity not only to improve the visual appearance of the homes but also to mitigate operational risk. From our broad experience of  number of Care Home Refurbishment Programmes we have established a list of significant common risks and issues that we are practically experienced in carefully and actively managing.

As a result we always seek to ensure that the following potential risks are identified, understood and addressed. We will always encourage best practice to maximise long term value from the care home asset;

Building and Infrastructure

M&E

• Legionella risks; Flexi connections to sinks etc and shower heads which reach the floor. Existing pipework is non-compliant with HSG 274, causing a Legionella risk.  Hot water returns aren’t within 500mm of thermostatic mixing valve, pipework is not lagged etc
• Ventilation i.e. old extract fans, don’t vent into atmosphere and SVPs are venting into room via air admittance valves.
• Bathroom extract fans don’t have fire collars.
• Old non-addressable fire alarm systems are installed.
• Emergency lighting systems non-compliant, not enough fittings/poor visibility.
• Lifts generally require replacement or refurbishment.
• Distribution boards; non-compliant, at capacity with no spare ways and obsolete
• Toilet cistern overflows that discharge onto the floor
• Water isolation valve replacements required as they are past serviceable life

Buildings & Externals

• Homes aren’t DDA compliant; poor access to outside, poor access to wash hand basins.
• Fire doors rotten and damaged.
• Risk of Asbestos particularly in lift shafts and ceiling finishes
• Limited As-Built and Operating and Maintenance information
• Historic approach to upgrades was aesthetic – paint and decorate. Infrastructure neglected.
• Operating on limited budget, do the minimum.
• Maintenance generally reactive rather than planned and preventative.
• Trapped damp beneath vinyl flooring from wet mopping, spillages etc
• Pests in roof spaces
• Fire doors damaged and no longer having fire protection properties
• Encapsulated asbestos (reluctance to strip out due to cost)
• Back of house areas usually untouched in refurbs? i.e. kitchens etc
• Not dementia friendly – colours and subtle details changes may be required.
• Loft void access to maintain plant in the void missing or unsuitable
• Leaking conservatories
• External works – fencing, wooden garden features, benches in poor condition

Fixtures and Fittings

• Poor fitted furniture; damaged wardrobes and drawers etc
• Old style handrails are flat timbers to the walls, creating ‘stash’ areas for foreign objects and a haven for germs to multiply!
• Eclectic mix of poor quality furniture

Opportunities

• Help to bring the estate up to standard.
• Potential for more efficient use of land, rationalise and re develop
• Reduce home maintenance operating costs – investment, standardisation, good quality records
• Reduce energy costs through investment, operational changes and training

Contact us to find out more about this project