Vinci and Midas also drafted in to build new wards to deal with outbreak
Interserve, Bam and Vinci are among the firms building a series of emergency hospitals across the UK to care for covid-19 patients.
The health department has revealed plans to build the NHS Nightingale wards in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast.
Interserve has confirmed it is building the Birmingham ward, which will be housed within the NEC centre.
A company spokesperson added: “As the principal contractor Interserve will be responsible for creating clinical space for 600 beds with further phases to accommodate 4,000 beds in total. Interserve will also build a drive-through covid-19 testing centre.”
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Building understands Vinci is constructing the Manchester ward in the Manchester Central Convention Complex, while Bam yesterday said it was mobilising to build two emergency wards – though did not confirm where.
A spokesperson for Bam said work on the two new wards was underway and they will be up and running by the end of the week.
The department of health said the network of new facilities has been procured through the p22 framework in England, which also includes Kier, Galliford Try and IHP, a JV between Vinci and Robert McAlpine.
The framework was originally meant to run out this year but has been extended by up to 12 months to help support the NHS through the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Midas Group has confirmed it is among the contractors building the London ward in the ExCel centre near London City Airport.
The new hospital, which was first announced seven days ago, will open this week and contain at least 4,000 beds.
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