Firm awarded major contract for modular Covid-19 testing buildings

OFFSITE construction firm, Premier Modular (Premier), has been awarded a major contract to provide modular buildings for 25 Covid-19 testing sites across the UK.

The first building supplied by Premier arrived on site in Bolton and opened the following afternoon. Further facilities were later installed at Glasgow, Nottingham and Havant.

The buildings contain eight patient cubicles, hygienic walls, a separate staff entrance and exit, test collection and drop off zones, and a family testing room. Premier’s contract with the UK Government also includes the supply of welfare facilities into accommodate a PPE room, stores, test preparation, staff rest room, kitchenette, and toilets.

George Swanepoel, project manager for the Havant centre, said, “The site set up and the testing facility at Havant are fantastic. This is a well-designed building which is highly efficient for maintaining patient flows and social distancing. The modular solution is easy to keep clean, is not exposed to the elements and is a safe and comfortable environment for our staff to work in. The building installation went very smoothly in just a few hours. This testing site will have a really positive impact on the local community.”

David Harris, managing director of Premier Modular, commented, “We are very pleased to be playing our part in the national effort to support the Government in increasing Covid-19 testing capabilities in the current pandemic. This is a vital initiative to help safeguard public health. It is also a fantastic example of how modular construction can help the NHS respond to local needs and an urgent requirement to rapidly increase capacity.”