Hayes Cottage Hospital in Middlesex was founded in 1875 on the site of the old Hayes Workhouse – closure of the premises was due in 1983, but a sit-in occupation by staff delayed it for two years.
After the redevelopment of the site, the home was contacted by Hammersmith Hospital’s Renal Department, which is responsible for all renal dialysis in West London. Hammersmith Hospital was interested in redeveloping a redundant building on the Hayes Cottage site and renting it from the Fordhams. The NHS would also staff the building. The proposed plan was for the NHS and John Fordham to cooperate on the design of a new Renal Dialysis Satellite Unit on the Hayes Cottage Hospital site.
John Fordham and the Hammersmith team chose Wernick Buildings to supply the new unit after visiting two similar dialysis units supplied by the modular buildings manufacturer.
Externally, the new unit had to comply with the requirements of the local council’s conservation department. Internally, the design had to meet NHS strict guidelines specified in the latest Hospital Building Notes. John Fordham also wanted a user-friendly, open-plan design which the patients, who have three dialysis sessions a week, would appreciate. It was also necessary for the new unit to fit in with Hayes’ “cottage hospital culture”, which emphasises a traditional local premises but uses the latest equipment and facilities.
At the Hayes site everyone has tried to keep the cottage hospital culture, but with the very latest equipment and facilities. The 37 factory built modules that comprise the two-storey, 829 m2, 24-station dialysis unit were delivered and craned into position over four days. Fitting out took eight weeks. John Fordham said on completion: “The internal finish is vitally important in this environment and Wernick has achieved a look that is aesthetically pleasing, efficient in use and easy to keep medically clean”.
