ABB specialist expertise to provide round-the-clock emergency support, as well as routine maintenance, necessary upgrades and new installation work at Milton Keynes General Hospital.
As demand for the health services provided by Milton Keynes General Hospital (MKGH) grows, reflecting the development of the surrounding area, so does the need for power. For this, the hospital looks to ABB specialist expertise to provide round-the-clock emergency support, as well as routine maintenance, necessary upgrades and new installation work.
After 30 years of growth, MKGH now has over 500 beds in 20 wards, eight operating theatres and a total of 1,500 staff. The latest facility, a new £12 million treatment centre for minor surgery and extended day-care, opened in January 2005.
The continuing expansion of the hospital keeps the in-house facilities team and ABB on their toes. At times, demands on the available power supply can be pushed to the limit. On one day last year, before the new centre came on stream, total demand reached 1,640kW over six separate circuits.
To meet growing demand, the incoming cable on the north of the site has recently been upgraded from 95mm to 185mm diameter. Two 11kV feeders bring the power on to the hospital site, connecting to a ring main with an open point so the supply can be switched as needed. There are six substations around the 60- hectare site. The most recent substation to be installed by ABB supplies the new treatment centre.
Problems can be identified at any time of the day and night and ABB engineers are on call to provide immediate assistance and work on site if needed.
SAFETY CHECKS
In addition to the main power supply from the local DNO (Distribution Network Operator), Central Networks, the hospital has six generators available to cut in and provide back-up power in emergencies.
In practice, the generators have had little use. However, possible problems highlighted by an NHS Safety Bulletin resulted in a thorough testing programme being carried out by ABB.
WORKING PARTNERSHIP
ABB’s relationship with MKGH goes back more than 12 years. Over that time, the partnership has grown and mutual confidence is very strong. The workload has expanded too, both in line with the expansion of the facilities and with the addition of other services. According to David Webb, estates officer in the hospital’s facilities department: 'We continue to find ABB very responsive to our needs. Its thorough knowledge of all the equipment and of our site means that it provides us with a reliable, fast and cost-effective service.'