Contractor Osborne is overseeing the construction of a new radiation unit at the Mount Vernon Cancer Treatment Centre in Northwood, Middlesex (as first reported in HEJ Aug 05, p13). The company’s involvement has greatly developed since its original contract began with the NHS Trust. While carrying out the enabling works package, it was invited to tender for the foundations, which were later awarded. This then led to Osborne managing the installation of the new pods, cladding and procurement of the roof structure.
Once foundations were laid, a total of 47 individual pods were placed on site. Osborne supervised a 500 tonne crane lifting these pods into place; the heaviest of which was around 40 tonnes. Once the pods were positioned, they were bolted together to form one large unit containing five radiotherapy treatment rooms, with the surrounding pods acting as shielding. Osborne placed approximately 5,000 tonnes of the proprietary shielding material to complete this process. The RAD Technology treatment rooms were erected and shielded in only two weeks, construction traditionally requiring 18 months to complete with concrete. The units were then covered with an insulated cladding system. RAD Technology supplied the pods with linear accelerators pre-installed and an exterior cladding system, as well as pre-finished interiors.
