QMC Main Entrance Refurbishment

These refurbishment works are essential to waterproof the area above the A&E department and prevent water leaks that could damage clinical areas. The project is also needed to strengthen the two bridges leading to the Main Entrance and improve facilities for patients, visitors and staff.

While these works are taking place, NUH is also taking the opportunity to improve and modernise the primary entrance of our main acute hospital site.

In addition to the essential works, the project will deliver:

• A redesigned car park with a barrier system.
• New drop-off facilities including for taxis.
• Refurbishment of the pedestrian canopy
• New secure bicycle storage
• A new Main Entrance lobby

The £3.7million has been awarded through the Government's Estates Safety Fund and is specifically for essential estate safety and infrastructure improvements. This funding cannot be used to support day-to-day clinical services.

However, this investment will help protect clinical areas including the A&E Department and improve the environment in which care is delivered.

Like many NHS organisations, NUH manages a large and complex estate that requires ongoing maintenance and investment, and the QMC is almost 50 years old so has reached the age where it requires additional investment. This is demonstrated in our huge backlog maintenance cost (we have the fifth highest backlog maintenance costs in the country and the highest outside of London).

We have previously had some water leaks in the waiting room of our A&E department which were temporarily repaired, but more intrusive maintenance works are required for the longer term, which is what this refurbishment project addresses.

As with any major estate, it is important that we proactively maintain and upgrade infrastructure to ensure clinical environments remain safe and fit for purpose.

Delaying these essential works could increase the risk of future disruption and lead to more extensive repairs being required.

Yes. The Main Entrance will remain open throughout the project, although access arrangements will change during different phases of the work.

In some of the later stages of the project when the new lobby is being created, pedestrians will be directed through a side entrance but still at the Main Entrance.

Yes. The area immediately outside the Main Entrance will be reserved throughout this project for patient and visitor drop-off only, supported by a one-way traffic system.

Yes. Emergency ambulances and patient transport ambulances will continue to have access when needed, although have been asked to drop off and collect patients as quickly as possible to maintain traffic flow.

We will continue to work with partners and monitor arrangements throughout the construction period to ensure services can continue to operate effectively.

The A&E ambulance bays and access to our A&E department is not impacted by this refurbishment work.

Staff, patients and visitors should continue to use NUH car parks across the QMC site as the Main Entrance should only ever be used for drop off, pick up and emergencies. Locations of these are marked on the QMC site map

Where possible, patients and visitors are encouraged to consider travelling by public transport or taxi.  

The small number of Blue Badge parking spaces will not be available immediately outside the Main Entrance during the works.

Blue Badge holders should use alternative accessible parking spaces elsewhere on the QMC site. Staff can direct patients and visitors to the QMC site map for locations QMC site map

Throughout the first months of the project, pedestrians will be directed down one side of the main entrance approach, while construction work takes place on the other side.

During the later stages of the project, when the new Main Entrance lobby is being built, pedestrians may be directed to use alternative hospital entrances. Clear signage will be in place.

The Medilink service is not affected for the majority of the project.

However, for a few weeks during the construction of the new Main Entrance lobby, the Medilink service will temporarily stop serving the Main Entrance bus stop. Passengers will be directed to use alternative Medilink stops on site and communications will be shared ahead of this happening.

Please:

• Familiarise yourself with the latest access arrangements.
• Allow additional travel time where possible.
• Utilise alternative parking and entrances.
• Check the NUH website updates regularly.

We recognise the works will cause some disruption and apologise for any inconvenience. However, these works are essential.

While no construction project can completely eliminate smoking outside a busy hospital site, the redesigned entrance will create a more attractive and welcoming environment for patients and visitors.

We remain committed to our smoke-free policy and will continue to encourage compliance through signage and free support is available for those who wish to stop smoking.