Modular building concepts appear to offer a good recipe for supporting the emergency aid services in this corona crisis. Extra hospital beds can be added in many places in no time.
beSteel from Belgium offers a helping hand by supplying temporary modular solutions and separation systems to governments and hospitals. Julie de Troostembergh, Business Development Manager of beSteel: “These can be made available quickly to increase the capacity of hospitals or other reception centres. We offer modular solutions as a social contribution and without commercial margin. We are able to deliver tailor-made solutions at short notice that can be installed quickly on a large scale. Our specialisation is off-site construction, which means we can quickly deliver temporary clinics, waiting rooms, triage rooms, etc. wherever they are needed, including in the Netherlands.” This can range from compartmentalisation systems and walls for placing extra beds in sports and event halls for example, to modular solutions for complete temporary control units or hospitals, which can be installed in just a few hours.
The Maastricht UMC+ for example has set up a temporary emergency hospital in the MECC Maastricht using modular compartmentalisation walls to expand the care capacity for corona patients in case the maximum capacity in the region is reached. The care is intended for corona patients who have been diagnosed with the virus, but for whom basic care is sufficient. The emergency hospital will initially accommodate about 250 beds. A decision about extra capacity will depend on how the Corona pandemic develops.
During the corona pandemic, several care locations for vulnerable people will be built in the Rotterdam Rijnmond region. Initially, this is made up of approximately 300 extra beds. In addition, there is the option to expand it to more than 1,000 beds. The media has extensively featured the Rotterdam Ahoy where Jan Snel is installing complete modular units, each with space for four beds and a private shower and toilet. Saskia Baas, director of Public Health, GGD Rotterdam: “We looked for extra temporary care locations. These care locations are intended for patients who need care, but do not necessarily need to be treated in a hospital. This offers relief to hospitals so they can still take care of urgent patients, including ICU admissions, as well as administer regular emergency care.” The first 22 units have been installed and will be operational on 13 April. There is room for a total of 680 beds in four halls.
