The Overseas Challenge: 

Client Modus Building Services approached us with an overseas logistics challenge. Never one to shy away from “difficult”, we knew it would test us, but that made it impossible to turn down. 

The brief was to deliver a bespoke ventilation system for Saint Bernard’s Hospital in Gibraltar. In a space not previously used for the purpose, creating the right environment for their new cardiac catheter imaging suite.  

Advances in diagnostic imaging tech are rapid, so we typically see hospitals installing new machinery to increase productivity, patient diagnosis times and patient treatment times.

However, Gibraltar had no imaging suites for cardiac catheterisation, so patients were being flown to Spain, putting them at risk and delaying diagnoses. Thankfully the British government stepped in and committed to funding imaging suites.

Situated on the southernmost tip of Spain, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, so Saint Bernard’s falls under the British Government, but operates as Gibraltar Heath Authority (GHA).

That means many everyday materials or major plant items – from cooling plants to catheter tubing – might be sourced in the UK and must meet British Standards. 

A little air flow context: 

One of the consequences of Covid has been a rigorous tightening in the regulation of air change rates. Ventilation is paramount. Especially in a healthcare setting.

Imaging equipment transmits a lot of heat. So, the environment surrounding it (we’re talking air flow) must be rigorously controlled, not just for the safety of patients and staff, but to maintain optimum conditions for the equipment to function.