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THE BRIEF
St Thomas’ Hospital opened in 1100 and remains one of the UK’s oldest hospitals. Today, the hospital provides over 840 beds and delivers specialist care across London. The estate sits within a dense and historic urban setting and handles over 2 million patient contacts per year.
ADP Architecture appointed our team on behalf of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust plans to construct additional buildings across the site. The design team required accurate and coordinated hospital survey data. Reliable information was essential to support feasibility and detailed design.
Our appointment covered RAMS, a desktop utility search, a topographical survey, and measured building surveys, all forming part of a comprehensive hospital survey package.
OUR WORK
All surveyors attended a full briefing on the sensitivities of a live hospital environment. St Thomas’ hosts one of the busiest A&E departments in the country. As a result, the team prioritised patient safety and operational continuity at all times, planning activities carefully to reduce noise and disruption. The team also coordinated closely with facilities managers during each phase to minimise any impact on hospital operations.
RAMS
The project team prepared detailed Risk Assessments and Method Statements before mobilisation. The team addressed controlled access, infection control, and emergency procedures within these documents. Importantly, the team agreed safe access routes across the estate with hospital stakeholders. The team scheduled activities around peak operational hours.
The team maintained clear communication channels throughout the works. The Trust reviewed and approved all documentation before commencement.
DESKTOP UTILITY SEARCH
A comprehensive desktop utility search covered the proposed development zone. Statutory undertaker records and existing service plans were carefully reviewed. This approach identifies services from statutory undertakers, local authorities, and network providers, including gas, water, electricity, drainage, and telecommunications.
The desktop study provided a non-intrusive solution during feasibility planning. No excavation or ground disturbance was required. The process reduced cost exposure and programme risk. Early visibility of service corridors supported informed building placement. The design team used this information to assess constraints confidently, forming a key part of the overall hospital survey.
TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS
The team carried out a detailed topographical survey of the hospital site. A secure control network was established and tied to Ordnance Survey datum.
GNSS and total station equipment ensured precise capture. Ground levels, surface features, and access routes were recorded. All information was delivered to Level of Detail 3. The dataset now supports drainage, access, and site layout design.
MEASURED BUILDING SURVEY
Our team carried out a measured building survey by laser scanning Blocks 6 and 8 to capture accurate internal data. Dense point cloud information was collected throughout both buildings. Exact floor plans and elevated sections were produced from this dataset.
All drawings were delivered to Level of Detail 3. The outputs clearly define structural elements and architectural features. The design team can now integrate new buildings with clarity and precision. This work formed the core of the hospital survey deliverables.
BENEFITS TO OUR CLIENTS
- Provided accurate LOD 3 survey data for confident decision-making.
- Reduced design risk through early identification of utility constraints.
- Aligned external survey information to OS datum for seamless coordination.
- Minimise disruption within a live healthcare environment.
- Supported efficient planning for estate expansion.
- Helped prevent costly service clashes during construction.
THE OUTCOME
The project delivered a coordinated and reliable hospital survey package for the proposed expansion. ADP Architecture gained accurate base information for design progression. The Trust now holds clear insight into site constraints and opportunities.
Survey data supported informed planning across the estate. Works progressed safely within a live hospital setting. The project demonstrates controlled delivery within a complex and busy healthcare environment.
