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Al Khor Hospital embarks on major renovation programme

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Justin Murray

Al Khor Hospital in Al Khor, Qatar has embarked on an 18 month-long construction programme as part of a major expansion effort aimed at enhancing the patient experience.

It aims at reducing wait times and hospital length of stay, and improving access to specialised medical care for the population living in and around the city of Al Khor.

Opened in 2005 as one of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) community hospitals, the 115 bed Al Khor Hospital provides general medicine, surgical, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and obstetric services to residents living in the northern part of the country.

Activity has continued to increase at Al Khor Hospital in recent years and in 2018 care was provided at more than 93,000 outpatient appointments and during more than 220,000 emergency department visits.

The expansion works, which commenced last month, will help the hospital meet the increased demand for current and future services.

“The expansion work has now begun and is part of HMC’s overall expansion program aimed at enhancing the experience of patients. These renovations will also allow us to provide faster access to high-quality specialist services at Al Khor Hospital,” said Mohammed Al Jusaiman, Deputy Chief of HMC’s General Hospitals Group and Chief Executive Officer of Al Khor Hospital.

Al Jusaiman explained that the construction works, which will continue until December 2020, involve significant enhancements to a number of key service areas, including the Intensive Care Unit and waiting area, the Emergency Department, and pharmacy, labor room, clinical imaging section, catering, and reception area. The works also include the establishment of a new National Diabetes Center and a Physiotherapy Center, and the expansion of the dentistry service.

“These expansion works are extensive and we are asking our patients, as well as members of the larger Al Khor community, to bear with us as we work to improve services. These construction works will include extending our Intensive Care Unit and enhancing areas within the Emergency Department. There are also plans to expand the Day Care Unit, Dialysis Unit, and the Pediatric Emergency Center. This work is being done in accordance with international standards and will improve our ability to care for our patients. It will also help to reduce patient length of stay, and to enhance our patients’ overall hospital experience,” said Al Jusaiman.

He notes that the planned National Diabetes Center will enable more patients to receive specialized diabetes care closer to their home and will also help reduce wait times. Similarly, the new Physiotherapy Center is expected to reduce wait times through the implementation of a new triage system and additional beds for assessment and treatment.

“The expansion program will also include additions to our labor and delivery services and planned expansions to our dental clinics will complement the existing service. Overall, this expansion program is about improving access to high-quality specialized care for the population living in and around Al Khor,” said Al Jusaima.

Source: The Peninsula Qatar

Al Wa’ab City: Excellence in the making – Northcroft Middle East

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Justin Murray

Northcroft Middle East are the appointed cost consultants and quantity surveyors for the prestigious Al Wa’ab City project in Doha, State of Qatar. Our collaborative partnership on this incredible development demonstrates our collective vision that Al Wa’ab City shall not only be a landmark for the future of Doha, but shall provide an authentic , yet extraordinary experience that holds true to the vision of H.H the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani for the country’s development.

Al Wa’ab City is currently undergoing positive development which covers an area of 1.25 million square meters and have appointed Northcroft Middle East to be the project’s Cost Consultants.

“The vision of Al Wa’ab City is to inspire positive development. Al Wa’ab City has a vision to provide genuine, inspirational experiences and realistic, sustainable solutions.To go beyond four walls to ignite the possibilities for all who live and visit. To build a community for tomorrow. To add value and quality everywhere – to inspire positive development. By doing so, Al Wa’ab City will become a landmark for the future and hold a spirit with which to celebrate life’s great moments.” Al Wa’ab City.

With the development of communities of large and medium-sized family villas, a recreational all-weather destination with a diverse mix of lifestyle and entertainment venues, and economic zone, combining commercial, retail and residential elements – Al Wa’ab City will unexpectedly become a landmark for the future and hold a spirit with which to celebrate life’s great moments.

Al Wa’ab City is a diverse mix of neighbourhoods, fused with the surrounding community, which will accommodate 8000 people in over 2000 homes, ranging from luxurious villas to contemporary apartments. The development includes over 100,000 square metres of retail space and 200,000 square metres of office accommodation – all spread over 1.25 million square metres and supported by considered infrastructure and 10,700 off-road parking spaces.

Northcroft Middle East are a quantity surveying, cost consultancy firm registered and regulated by the Engineering Law of Qatar, providing commercial, contractual, pre and post contract, claims and dispute resolution support services throughout the Middle East.

For more information on Northcroft Middle East’s activities, capabilities and services, please click here to visit out website.

Source: Al Waab City

UDC signs deals worth QR1.2bn for major projects at The Pearl-Qatar

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Justin Murray

United Development Company (UDC), master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Islands, has signed three agreements worth QR1.2bn pertaining to major projects at The Pearl-Qatar.

The first agreement has been signed with “Orbital Education” a leading British educational group, to operate “United School International”, while the second agreement has been signed to award “Al Darwish Engineering Company” the contract of the construction works for “United School International”.

The third agreement has been signed to award “Ramco Trading & Contracting Company” to undertake the design and construction works for three gated compounds in the Floresta Gardens Precinct.

Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman, UDC President and Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board, highlighted that the total investment value in these projects amounts to approximately QR1.2bn.

FEATURED: ‘Straight from the Horse’s Mouth’ – Northcroft Middle East LLC

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Justin Murray

The saying “prevention is better than cure” would have held true in many of our recent cases. Adhering to thorough Contract Administration principles is arguably one of the most effective ways in preventing and dealing with construction disputes. How can we use the “back to basics” principles to prevent the “wheels coming off” at a high speed ?”

Northcroft Middle East continues to deliver concise and pragmatic guidance through delivery of its ‘Contract Management – Back to Basics’ workshops. This series of workshops has been developed and provided to ensure our clients effectively maximise their contract administration and project activities, in such a manner, that they preserve their contractual entitlements and minimise their exposure to commercial disputes.

Johann Rothmann offers this month’s Straight from the Horse’s Mouth ‘Back-to-Basics Insight’.

Johann is currently leading Northcroft Middle East’s ‘Post Contract’ division, with more than 25 years of experience in estimating, project controls, contract drafting and negotiation, contract management and an integral driver behind Northcroft’s claim and dispute resolution services, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantity Surveying, a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management and as well as being a Registered Professional with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (PrQS), he also is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS),

Having recently provided key support and guidance on a number of locally based disputes in excess of QAR 1.8 bn, it was evident to all, that if both the Contractors and Clients involved “kept their eyes on the ball” it could have prevented situations that “spun out of control” and created a “snowball effect” that had near disastrous consequences for the parties involved.

The saying “prevention is better than cure” would have held true in many of our recent cases. Adhering to systematic Contract Administration* principles is arguably one of the most effective ways in preventing and dealing with construction disputes. How can we use the “back to basics” principles to prevent the “wheels coming off” at a high speed?

(*Note: Contract Administration and Contract Management is interchangeable for the tips shared below)

Our ‘Top 10’ Contract Administration Tips:

1. If you fail to plan you are planning to fail.
Proper planning from conception of the project will aid and assist you to minimise disputes. The application of Project Management principles is probably not the best way to start off with – it’s the only way! Particularly give attention to the following:
• Realistic time planning (Time)
• Design (Quality)
• Detailed cost plans (Money / Cost)
• Risk allocation – appropriate form of contract

2. Lack of planning on your side does not justify a crisis on my side. Lack of cost, time and quality planning will create a crisis, usually for the wrong party.

3. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. The importance of competent CA’s and continuous professional development of key staff should not be overlooked or viewed as a “nice to have”. You would be well advised to use somebody that has been around the block.

4. The bluntest pencil is better than the sharpest memory / The pen is mightier than the sword. Record keeping is key. Record keeping is key. Have we mentioned that keeping records of everything is key? The defence rest Your Honour.

5. One size fits all? Not quite, in fact the opposite is true for construction projects. Contract and project execution strategy should be unique. Correct selection of the form of contract and risk allocation, to the party that can manage it best, will go a long way to reduce disputes. Onerous risk allocation benefits nobody in the long run.

6. Speak or forever hold your peace – He who asks is a fool for five minutes, he who does not is a fool forever. Just realise the importance and benefits of using the RFI systems. Use it or lose it …

7. Lord Byron’s quote: “Truth is best discovered by powerful statements on both sides of the case”. If you have a valid claim, it is important to provide a well-structured claims document – don’t expect a fair and reasonable Engineer’s determination for a hastily put together claim. GIGO (garbage in garbage out)

8. The only constant in every project is change. Effective change management does not require explanation. If changes happen, discuss, notify, record (!) and manage the process.

9. Cash is King. Payment application process and managing cashflow. Using the quality system and reducing NCR’s can improve your cash flow.

10. Time is money. Delays and disruption cost money … for everybody.

The ‘Big 5 Construct Qatar” returns to support $150bn of planned projects

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Justin Murray

After a successful launch edition in 2018, The Big 5 Construct Qatar will return to the Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre (DECC) from 23 -25 September 2019, dmg events (Doha) announced. The Big 5 Construct Qatar is honoured to be supported by the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC).

First launched last year, when just over half of Qatar’s $10bn-plus contracts awarded were in the construction and civil infrastructure sectors, the international construction expo comes back to Doha as industry reports forecast ongoing business opportunities.

“Qatar now has over $150bn worth of known planned and un-awarded projects in the pipeline. It is by far one of the largest future markets in the MENA region and we couldn’t be more delighted to return in support of it,” says Loubna Aghzafi, Country Manager at dmg events (Doha).

Commenting on the Qatar Construction Market Report, released in partnership with MEED Projects, she adds: “Construction and transport projects continue to make up the bulk of planned projects in Qatar, approximately 86 percent of the total current value in fact, showing that we must continue to bring international and local stakeholders together.”

The report highlights key projects including the new Airport City which will include mixed use development and logistics parks, Sharq Crossing consisting of a tunnel and bridge link between North and South Doha, and the ongoing expansions of Doha Metro and Hamad International Airport.

In its inaugural edition The Big 5 Construct Qatar welcomed more than 12,000 participants to Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre – education at the event certified over 5,000 construction professionals. Organized by dmg events (Doha), The Big 5 Construct Qatar is co-located with Transport Evolution Qatar. The event will run from 23-25 September 2019 at Doha Exhibition & Conference Centre. Register to take part here.

Source: The Peninsula Qatar