Forum Topic

Queen Mary's Hospital Out buildings and Diesel Heating

The newly constructed outbuildings in the Queen Mary's Hospital car park have diesel generator for heating. I'm not sure if this is temporary or just for backup.I can hear one chugging away.Do you ever get the feeling that government isn't join up?

Ed Robinson ● 1601d17 Comments

The car park is in the local plan as a possible development site. The diesel fumes are pretty horrible.

Alan Sherman ● 1600d

The original hospital was a full general hospital with an A&E. Although the buildings were old the grounds were lovely. When Labour closed it Kingston Hospital was not geared up to take the extra patients - it was a horrendous time.As Matt has mentioned the size of the car park compared to the new hospital building is odd. An unnecessary concrete covering  that could have been grass and trees for the last couple of decades.I wonder if they have put the new out buildings in the car park as a means of getting around the PFI contract? No one seems to mention PFI anymore - I wonder why?I'm not sure what Michael W is going on about - waiting outside downstream from diesel generators is hardly good for your lungs. You would have thought that government buildings were be prime sites for solar and ground source heat pumps. And why not a wind turbine too???

Ed Robinson ● 1600d

I remember the old hospital.  My husband was on a ward there 30 years ago (time flies!), we couldn’t believe how awful and run down the ward was, even had a broken window, so I was very grateful my children were born at the Chelsea & Westminster. I had day surgery on my foot at Roehampton and thought they were wonderful and super efficient.  I’d already had foot surgery at Charing Cross Hospital, but thought it was much more pleasant in Roehampton. 

Martine Guy ● 1600d

It was a large hospital and a teaching hospital too.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1600d

Queen Mary's was a large Hospital, I had my son there in 1973. There used to be loads of Wards, also a large restaurant. I worked in the Snack Bar the Four Seasons, from about 1975 to 1983. Only at the weekends. Also large grounds they could push patients outside. Yes the New Hospital is clean and nice. But so much used to be done at the old Hospital, also had a large A & E.

Barbara Stevens ● 1600d

I'm puzzled why you think this is cause for concern. A new hospital facility is very unlikely to be able to be powered by windmills and /or solar panels on site. Thus it needs to be connected to the electricity grid if it cannot be powered directly on site. Incremental demand from the electricity grid is provided by fossil fuels - until some time long in the future when renewable sources are able to provide 100% of grid demand. Thus what on earth is the issue you have with this?There is a general theme of people criticising each and every use of energy without any understanding of the big picture. Like the electric car driver who somehow imagines trhat their unnecessary journeys have no environmental impact. Or the owner of storage heaters with the windows open and thermostats on 23 who somehow imagines that they are an environmentalist.It's very much like the many people walking outside wearing masks - thinking they are observing scientific advice without any actual understanding of it. The government is to blame - there is a lot of basic education as yet left undone.

Michael Winstanley ● 1601d

That carpark was so big and so underused that I taught my son to ride a bike and skateboard there.

Matt Palmer ● 1601d

Ed, why do you think the design is a bit odd?  I like Queen Mary’s it is so clean and modern.  I was there today for the booster jab. Maybe, because the carpark is so big, someone has decided more hospital buildings could be built there.  I think that’s a good idea rather than have empty carpark spaces.

Martine Guy ● 1601d

I assume that the urgency to which Andy refers applies to the huge backlog of routine surgery caused by the Pandemic. This QMH initiative/action  should improve the quality of people’s lives and, as such, is surely a good thing?

Jane Carter ● 1601d

Of course Andy the whole design of Queen Mary's is a bit odd. A PFI initiative I believe with the original being planned to close by the Conservatives but actually closed after Labour came to power despite the no more closure promises.I'm not sure we can use the word urgent as if the climate and air quality issues have just snuck up on us.The point is - if new government buildings (including temporary ones) do not meet appropriate standards then what hope is there for the private sector?Perhaps if politicians just told it how it is instead of the spin, photo opportunities and no action.

Ed Robinson ● 1601d

Probably some years . But i suspect the urgency to get them operational was the over riding criteria. I suppose whatever they did someone could have found fault with it, but at least it has had an immediate positive impact on peoples lives. Time maybe later to look at what needs to change on these buildings long term.

Andy Pike ● 1601d

Thank you for the information Jane, it is very helpful indeed.  I did not know that the buildings would become a permanent feature though it does not surprise me. We received our booster jab earlier this month and I thought there were more buildings, even if they looked temporary set ups, in the car park.  It sounds like a very good idea but I will try to investigate a bit further as to where post-operatory recovery rooms will be and how they will transfer patients from the car park into the main building.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1601d

Michael there are power lines to the building - I'm not sure about the size etc.How long is temporary is the question - weeks, months, years?

Ed Robinson ● 1601d

The new buildings in the QMH car park are not only for COVID vaccinations.‘ Update on new modular operating theatres and Covid-19 vaccine hub at Queen Mary’sPublished: 15 Mar 2021In February, we announced plans to establish four new modular operating theatres on the Queen Mary’s Hospital site.The facility is being set up as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to longer waiting times for patients waiting for routine operations and procedures across south west London.The new facility is in the process of being constructed, and will be located in the central area of the main car park at Queen Mary’s. It will also be available for use by surgical teams from the other hospitals in South West London.

Jane Carter ● 1601d

The problem is putting in gas pipes or an electricity supply (which might need to be three phase) takes a lot more time and planning than dropping in a self contained oil unit with integral diesel tank.

Michael Ixer ● 1601d

I thought those outbuildings were temporary in nature; are they not the vaccination centre for COVID?  Of course, they may become permanent, I do not know.Are there any possible alternatives to diesel generators for heating at the moment?  I though the electric pumps are extremely expensive as they are so new?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1601d

One suspects it's expediency to do something quickly irrespective of whether IRS a temporary or permanent solution? Are the diesel units hired or permanent units?

Michael Ixer ● 1601d