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Jersey’s £14.4m ‘Nightingale’ field hospital is on track to become one of the island’s fastest moving infrastructure projects, with foundations laid and drainage added in mere days.
The temporary building on Millbrook playing fields, which will provide at least 180 beds for covid-19 patients, staff facilities and a morgue, was only announced on Thursday, but the exterior is expected to be complete towards the end of the week.
Construction teams worked throughout the long weekend, removing the field’s topsoil, laying the hardcore foundations and all of the drainage to manage outflow from the health facility (see Express's photo gallery below).
Eight trailers of temporary structure arrived on the island from Neptunus, one of the world’s largest providers of temporary buildings, who brought their team to begin fitting together the ‘flatpack’ structure.
Video: What a difference a few days makes... The field hospital site on Friday and Monday.
“Behind the scenes, design work is progressing at pace, which includes the hospital layout and the ancillary buildings needed to support the staff. These have been ordered and will be delivered later this month,” the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, explained in a video update to islanders last night.
“Alongside experts from the United Kingdom and Europe, a wide range of local businesses have been engaged to provide condition surveys, temporary electrical services, substructure works and utilities. The team are continuing to increase staffing levels to match the activities on site,” he elaborated.
He went on to explain that the Glass Church had allowed J3 to set up its site office in the adjacent hall, and noted that a dedicated Health and Safety team were on site to ensure appropriate practices to stop the spread of covid-19 were followed, as well as standard building safety protocols.
Senator Le Fondré added that he was aware some neighbouring were concerned about the field hospital project, but pledged to provide regular updates.
Video: The Chief Minister gives an update on the construction of the field hospital.
The speed of development has earned praise from islanders and politicians alike on social media.
St. Lawrence Deputy Kirsten Morel, whose constituency includes Millbrook, tweeted: “It's incredible to think that in just a week, the exterior of the temporary hospital will be complete. Thanks to all the people working extremely hard to build the facility so quickly.”
The Chief Minister offered his “sincere thanks” to everyone involved in the project, noting that the island was grateful for them giving up an Easter shared with their families.
“Their time and hard work now mean that we can save more lives in future,” he said.
The Easter weekend also saw the official number of local patients confirmed to have the illness top 200.
According to the latest test results release, there are now 217 confirmed positive cases, though the true figure is likely to be ten times higher.
It's incredible to think that in just a week, the exterior of the temporary hospital will be complete. Thanks to all the people working extremely hard to build the facility so quickly. pic.twitter.com/K6m2WoIFEH
— Kirsten Morel (@KirstenJersey) April 13, 2020
1,583 tests have returned a negative result, and 55 remain pending.
From this week, the Government has pledged to release the statistics of islanders that have recovered.
In the meantime, it is also conducting a household survey to get a clearer picture of the spread.
Although the latest figures appear to show that the island’s attempts to ‘flatten the curve’ and reduce demand on the health service are succeeding, the Chief Minister warned last night: “The demands on our Health services will increase, and we need to be prepared to meet them head on.”
He continued: “That is why the construction of the Nightingale hospital now is the right step to take. When the peak comes, it will help us to face it and manage it appropriately.
“It will provide the resilience we need to try to protect our most vulnerable and save as many lives as we can.
“That can only happen with your continued cooperation and support. Please, continue to follow the latest medical advice, and to comply with the stay home instruction.”
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