Archus presents to HSJ Partnership Awards judges as part of the Dragon’s Heart Hospital project
In December 2020, the partnership team responsible for the delivery of NHS surge hospital Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig, Dragon’s Heart Hospital was shortlisted for ‘Regional Covid-19 Response Partnership’ Award at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2021. The project was chosen in recognition of the partnership team’s outstanding dedication to improving healthcare, and its effective collaboration with the NHS, in the early fight against Covid-19.
The role of Archus, Mott MacDonald, Q5, Hoare Lea, BDP, Welsh Rugby Union, and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (along with additional partners) was crucial to the successful delivery of the project. In just four weeks, partners mobilised rapidly to deliver the 2000 bed temporary hospital and supporting infrastructure within the 75,000 seat Welsh National Stadium – with no compromise in the standard of care, patient safety or the quality of the environment.
A new way of working overcame all organisational boundaries, in a “stronger together” ethos, to deliver the second largest temporary hospital in the UK. This safeguarded the health board’s ability to care for all patients during the first wave of the Covid-19 crisis. As one of a number of Nightingale hospitals constructed in response to the first wave of the pandemic, Dragon's Heart Hospital ended up being the only facility that treated seriously ill Covid-19 patients during its existence.
Being shortlisted for a 2021 HSJ Partnership Award is a true celebration of the combined efforts that went into delivering Dragon’s Heart Hospital. The collective partnership approach was showcased in a presentation to the awards judging panel presentation on Wednesday 28th April, with a central focus on how embracing this ‘one team’ mentality and focusing on outcomes delivered the hospital collaboratively, efficiently, and at speed.
Once the Nightingale hospital requirement was established, the project team was mobilised and onsite within 24 hours. An initial 300 beds were delivered in just 10 days; and a full 1500 just three weeks later. Over 650 staff were involved from 60 contractors, with operations running on site 24 hours a day to deliver a solution, fast. The deep partnership ethos spread further than the core partnership team too. The project was also supported by an unexpected, but deeply needed, volunteer team - individuals who came together from all walks of life to help deliver this essential facility.
Whilst originally developed as a temporary hospital, the approach taken and the lessons learned at Dragon’s Heart have transformed the approach to healthcare across Wales more widely – providing a valuable legacy and assured future impact.
Winners of the 2021 HSJ Partnership Awards will be announced on Tuesday 29th June 2021 and the event is set to reiterate the essential role of private and third sector organisations in strengthening our healthcare system; following the most testing period for the sector in recent history. The HSJ Partnership Awards is a flagship annual event presented by Health Service Journal (HSJ); the news and insight service for all healthcare leaders working in, for, or with the NHS.
Read our first announcement on the HSJ Partnership Awards shortlisting here.
