International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has been appointed by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to manage the delivery of more than 1000 new hospital beds for patients battling the novel coronavirus across Wales.

Following the completion of emergency works to prepare Wrexham Maelor Hospital for an influx of confirmed cases, Gleeds was further appointed by the Board to provide project and cost management services for three new ‘rainbow’ hospitals in North Wales, so named after the symbol which is being widely used to support the NHS.

Now nearing completion, the facilities at Ysbyty Enfys Glannau Dyfrdwy (Rainbow Hospital Deeside), Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno (Rainbow Hospital Llandudno), and Ysbyty Enfys Bangor (Rainbow Hospital Bangor) will open their doors next month.

In addition to supporting the Board’s reaction to the pandemic, Gleeds is also appointed as project and cost manager for a further two of its ongoing capital projects. Within 24-hours of the announcement of the Rainbow programme, the business had been able to implement a plan whereby additional resource was allocated to ensure that the development of both the North Denbighshire Community Hospital and the Ablett Unit redevelopment at Glan Clwyd Hospital could continue without delay, despite the heavily increased workload.

Mark Lewis, who is heading up Gleeds’ BCUHB team, said;

“Gleeds has been working with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for 15 years but never in such challenging circumstances. Thanks to our existing relationship, the team was able to adapt and mobilise the necessary resources incredibly rapidly in order to meet the needs of the Board as it seeks to ensure the population of North Wales receives the best care possible in the face of this pandemic. I am extremely proud of what has been achieved so far and Gleeds will of course continue to offer its full support as the situation develops”.

Neil Bradshaw, Head of Capital Development for BCUHB, added;

“These are unprecedented times and, like health organisations across the globe, we are doing our upmost to ensure that all those who need our services are able to access them. This has necessitated the construction of a number of temporary hospitals in North Wales which we are pleased to confirm will be completed by the end of the month. We have been hugely impressed by the herculean efforts of the supply chain and are incredibly grateful to Gleeds for their flexibility and skill in getting us to this point so quickly, without impacting on the progress of ongoing developments.”

The BCU Health Board is the largest health organisation in Wales, providing a complete range of services for approximately 676,000 people across North Wales and North Powys. It is responsible for the operation of three District General Hospitals, 22 additional acute and community hospitals, and over 90 health centres, clinics, community health team bases, and mental health units.