A Sunderland design and print business is supporting with the conversion of a new temporary hospital, as the NHS ramps up its response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

BPP Visual, which designs, manufactures and installs signage for a range of clients from its Washington base, is working with infrastructure business Balfour Beatty as it supports the NHS in creating its Glasgow Nightingale Hospital, which will become a major treatment centre for Coronavirus patients as the nation battles the global pandemic. 

The Washington Business Centre business – which works with clients across Europe to develop visual aids that communicate often complex messages in simple, understandable ways – has created more than 20 signage boards and displays that will help Balfour Beatty quickly and effectively manage their part in the conversion of the SEC Centre in Glasgow, into a temporary NHS hospital, which will have the capacity to support more than 1,000 patients. 

As well as supporting Balfour Beatty with the conversion process, BPP Visual has offered to provide free signs for use in the hospital to ensure it functions as effectively as possible when it opens its doors in the coming days.

Richard Greensmith, managing director of BPP Visual, said: “It’s been all hands on deck to support this project, as these hospitals are essentially being built in less than a fortnight, and clearly they are urgently needed to help battle this Covid-19 crisis. 

“We have worked with the team at Balfour Beatty on many other projects, but nothing quite like this.  We have produced and delivered signs in less than 24 hours to ensure that they are able to undertake their part of the hospital conversion in a smooth, organised way. 

“It’s been a challenging project but one we are glad to have been able to support with.  Everyone needs to work together during times like these, and we were determined to do whatever was necessary to deliver what was required.”

The Glasgow hospital is being converted now and follows the much-publicised conversion of the ExCel Centre in London, which is the largest of the Nightingale Hospitals in the country and could treat up to 4,000 patients. 

Richard added: “Driving up to Glasgow to deliver the signs, and seeing the scale of the task ahead is an eye-opener.  It really is going to need everyone pushing in the same direction to deliver this project, and I hope the small part we have played does help this national effort.”

Peter McIntyre, city development director at Sunderland City Council, said there are a number of businesses from the city involved in projects that are helping, as the weight of the crisis bears down on health and social care services.

He said: “We have some remarkable businesses in Sunderland, and many of them are involved in projects that are supporting the national effort to tackle this pandemic. 

“We are incredibly proud that we have businesses like BPP, that are stepping up to lend their expertise during this very challenging time.  While this is a really challenging time for the country, it is heartening to see the way in which people are supporting one another, and the efforts that people and businesses are putting in to ensure the country is in the best possible position to fight Covid-19.”