In the last quarter of 2020, overshadowed by the global pandemic of coronavirus, Military Medical Academy Memorial University Clinical Hospital: Central Veterans Hospital completed a strategic investment: Regional Integrated Treatment Centre with bed and diagnostic facilities and a helicopter landing platform. The modern Centre at 113 Żeromskiego St. comprises a central operating theatre, an intensive medical care unit and other units (e.g., Department of Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery or Cardiology). The new Centre is located at the back of the main building (from Żeromskiego St. perspective) and is connected with the already existing hospital via a specially constructed bridge. How to fit the building in the existing structure of the hospital and link the two systems of infrastructure proved to be by no means a challenge, what with the construction being Registered as a Listed Building.

Regional Integrated Treatment Centre is a 6-storey building (with one underground floor) with a roof-top landing platform for rescue helicopters. The design also includes a terrace overlooking a patio which illuminates the interior and offers relaxation space for patients and staff.  A modern hospital does not only mean functional, superbly-equipped interiors but also aesthetically pleasing design, which is reflected in this investment. The hospital interiors are decorated with large-format photo wallpapers and pictures of landmarks of Lodz.

The Centre is the response to ever-increasing health care needs of the inhabitants of Lodz and its region, as well as the attempt to fully exploit the potential of Military Medical Academy Hospital. The modernised hospital based on innovative solutions and technologies offers comfort for patients and health care providers alike, says Monika Domarecka, the manager of the facility.

Military Medical Academy Memorial University Clinical Hospital has long experience in dozens of key medical areas and unique clinics within its structure, like maxillofacial surgery clinic or hand surgery clinic.  It employs high-class specialists and is able to provide comprehensive care. It is the hospital that can admit patients with multi-organ injuries which often require surgeries performed by specialists of a variety of medical fields. The integrated treatment centre which entails centralisation of necessary components of the hospital infrastructure (operation theatre or intensive care unit) will facilitate work organisation and enhance the effectiveness of the care provided.

Further benefits of the investment include:

•  an opportunity to use even more modern technologies and treatment methods,
•  more effective hospital development – long-term goals achievement,
•  improved quality of classes and teaching provided to MUL students,
•  improved efficiency of response and effectiveness of health care provided,
•   optimisation of the operating costs of the facility,
•  enhanced comfort for patients,
•  improved working conditions for hospital personnel.

It’s noteworthy that, as a university hospital, Military Medical Academy Memorial hospital plays a significant role in training future health care providers. The new investment will upgrade the conditions for clinical classes. Students will benefit from genuine lecture rooms, one of which is arranged for real-time observation of surgeries from a glass-panelled balcony, says Prof. Radzisław Kordek, Rector Medical University of Lodz.

For reasons beyond our control, the opening ceremony could not be held, which should not, however, diminish the significance of the project and the success of its authors. We wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the managers and hospital employees and we would like to thank all those who contributed to the deployment of the strategic project.

The project implementation dates:
Stage 1: 2^nd quarter of 2018 – 4^th quarter of 2020
Stage I2: 4^th quarter of 2020– 2^nd quarter of 2021

Project budget:
Total value: PLN 125 million

Sources of financing:
Program Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment: PLN 49 million
The Ministry of Health: PLN 33 million
Hospital own resources: PLN 43 million

REGIONAL INTEGRATED TREATMENT CENTRE: FACTS & FIGURES

Useable area of premises: 11.873,19 m²
Total area: 13.595,80 m²
The building height: 23,00 m
Number of overground storeys: 5
Number of underground storeys: 1
Landing platform for helicopters

Basement: staff changing rooms, technical rooms, storage area
Ground floor: Admission Room, Hospital Emergency Department, Central Sterilisation Unit,
1^st Floor: Operation theatre: 8 operating rooms, 9-station recovery room with a nursing station

The area above 1^st floor: teaching classrooms, a glass-panelled room for real-time observation of surgeries
2^nd floor: INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (OIOM): 14 beds, NEUROSURGERY DEPARTMENT: 8 beds
3^rd floor: DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDICS: 36 beds, DEPARTMENT OF ARTHROSCOPY and HAND SURGERY: 14 beds
4^th floor: DEPARTMENT OF CARDIOLOGY: 27 beds
5^th floor: helipad, technical facilities

General contractor: consortium Warbud and BUDOMAL.