Norman Piette's own 'DIY SOS'

Wednesday 21 August 2019

Staff from Norman Piette have embarked on their own DIY SOS-style challenge, refurbishing Guernsey's Chest and Heart clinic.

Based in the grounds of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, the new-look unit should be ready to open this autumn.

The NP Task Force led by Executive Manager Steve Powell, hope to have it complete by the middle of October, thanks to more than 22 staff from the builders merchants who have given up their free time to work on the six-month project. 

This is the company’s first ‘big build’ community project said Mr Powell.

"It is something that the company has wanted to do for a long time, having been inspired by the popular BBC TV programme DIY SOS: The Big Build. It’s been really rewarding working together as a team, who all have different skills, to breathe new life into these, rather tired, premises."

Pictured: The refurbishment of the premises is well underway. (Photo courtesy of Tim Langlois Photography)

Chest and Heart LBG, which is a charity that provides a free health screening service to islanders, celebrates its 45th anniversary this year but the Oberlands premises were no longer fit for purpose. The building is now much more thermally efficient, has disabled access and toilet facilities, new windows, new wiring and plumbing, and is to have a new IT system installed to ensure data compliance. The biggest difference will be the addition of two new clinic rooms, enabling more patients to take advantage of the free service.

Centre Manager Carolyn Oxburgh is thrilled with the progress.

"We are on the final stretch of what has been a momentous period of change for the Chest and Heart service and I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress that’s been made and am excited for our future. If we can help to save more people’s lives in Guernsey, then it will all be worth it."

While renovations are taking place the Chest and Heart screening service has temporarily relocated to office space at Stan Brouard in Landes du Marche. Appointments can be made by telephoning 258876.

Pictured top: Norman Piette Task Force volunteers Lindsey Hart, Steve Powell and Simon Taylor, with Chest and Heart Centre Manager Carolyn Oxburgh. (Photo courtesy of Tim Langlois Photography)