THE need for extra facilities to accommodate health service staff across the island during the Covid-19 pandemic has driven demand for new modular buildings, a Co Derry company has said.
Magherafelt-based P McVey Mobile Buildings said it has manufactured and supplied 40 new modular buildings to hospitals during the crisis.
The facilities for hospitals at Altnagelvin, Omagh and Enniskillen include temporary buildings for sleeping, storage, showers and toilets, along with additional offices.
Buildings have also been supplied to the Ambulance Service and for hospitals in Cavan, Monaghan and Drogheda.
The firm’s operations director, Mike McVey, said the speed at which modular buildings can be completed allowed the Derry firm to respond to the orders.
He said the company had received finance through the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS) via Danske Bank to help meet the demand.
“The surge in demand was a surprise and we had already furloughed many of our employees as our focus is usually on the education sector.
“We approached Danske Bank and this support was put in place very quickly and seamlessly, allowing us to bring our employees back to work.
“We are very happy with the way it was structured and it has helped us to expand our fleet of rental units to almost 300 in what would otherwise have been difficult times.”
Danske Bank business manager, Gary McLaughlin, praised the family business for its ability to respond to the changing environment.
“They are providing units with offices, showers and toilets on site at hospitals for NHS staff who are working unsociable hours.
“We are pleased to have been able to support the company as it moves into a new market that may be beneficial for its business in the long term.”
