Warwickshire Police | Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Refurbishment

Blue lightHealth

20 Oct

Client: The Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire
key stakeholders: Mountain Healthcare | NHS England
Role: Project Manager, Employers Agent, MEP Consultant and Principal Designer
Sector: blue light | health

Blue Sky Centre, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton

Delivering Forensic-Grade Healthcare Environments

DSA successfully delivered a fast-paced, high-spec refurbishment of an existing Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) facility. The project aimed to achieve compliance with UKAS Accreditation under ISO 15189 and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice, supporting the client’s commitment to providing the highest standards of forensic and trauma-informed healthcare services.

The project required a detailed understanding of forensic requirements, operational sensitivities, and an uncompromising approach to cleanliness and contamination control — all within a tight programme to minimise the closure of a vital service.

“We engaged DSA to deliver a refurbishment project to a forensic healthcare facility, and their performance exceeded expectations across all key areas.

From the outset, the team took a proactive role in reviewing the project specification, ensuring that all elements were clearly defined and aligned with both operational and legislative requirements. They worked closely with stakeholders to refine the scope and design where necessary, always with a focus on meeting stringent standards while achieving best value for money on a restrictive site.

Throughout the delivery phase, DSA demonstrated a strong commitment to quality assurance. They consistently monitored progress against the specification, ensuring that workmanship and materials met the required standards. Their attention to detail and collaborative approach ensured that the outcome was both compliant and fit for purpose.

The project was completed within time and under budget, which is a testament to their effective cost management and forward planning. Their ability to identify efficiencies without compromising quality was excellent, and they provided clear, transparent reporting throughout.

Overall, DSA delivered a highly professional service and played a key role in the success of the project. I would have no hesitation in recommending them for future schemes.

– Calum Walmsley, Head of Estates and Assets, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire

“We couldn’t be happier with the results of our project with DSA Consultants. From day one, their team was approachable, knowledgeable, and committed to delivering the best possible outcome. They finished the project right on schedule, within the agreed budget, and the quality of the build is outstanding. Every detail has been completed to a very high standard, and the whole process felt smooth and stress-free. We would not hesitate to recommend DSA Consultants as a trusted partner for future projects.”

– Kevin Banks, Director of Business Support Services, Mountain Healthcare

A healthcare room with a turquoise medical bed on one side and a row of white cupboards on the other. A black chair and medical monitoring equipment are also in the room.

An empty health centre corridor with sage green Lino flooring and pale pine doors leading off into individual clinician rooms.

Looking into a healthcare waiting area with sage green Lino floor - a single brown leather chair can be seen underneath a hygiene glove dispenser.

A white-walled disabled toilet in a healthcare location with sage green Lino floor. A red emergency pull hangs from the ceiling.

A row of smiling office workers in the entrance to a healthcare venue. It is a sunny day and the sky is bright blue.

Overcoming Challenges

Complete Redesign

The internal space was entirely reconfigured to introduce two independent forensic pods, each with:

A secure entrance and waiting area
Pre-examination room
Medical examination room
Dedicated bathroom facilities

Each pod followed a one-way patient flow to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, supporting both forensic integrity and patient care standards.

12-Week Delivery Window

With the facility offering critical services, DSA managed a tight 12-week construction period, carefully programmed to minimise operational downtime.

Forensic Cleaning and Contamination Control

To meet the rigorous standards required for accreditation:

All finishes were selected to be flush, non-porous, anti-ligature, and easy to clean
Design choices were made to minimise environmental contamination and cross-transfer
Meticulous attention was given to every surface, fixture, and junction

Specialist MEP Design

Our MEP design was developed to ensure the building systems met forensic standards, including:

Ventilation solutions to minimise the risk of DNA cross-transfer via air movement
HVAC layouts designed to ensure zone separation and contamination control

Project Highlights

Delivered to meet UKAS Accreditation (ISO 15189) standards and meet the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice
Two fully independent forensic pods designed for trauma-informed care
12-week fast-track programme to minimise service interruption
Specialist MEP and finishes design to meet stringent forensic cleaning requirements