3.8.1 Many projects will require occupation of the new facility to be undertaken on a phased basis. This will be reflected in the commissioning master plan and will require close liaison between the commissioning team and the Project Manager for the construction project.
3.8.2 A number of different buildings may be handed over, under the contract, on a number of different dates. Arrangements must be in place to bring these facilities into use, as they become available, unless there are good operational or clinical reasons why this cannot be done.
3.8.3 A single facility may also be handed over to the provider in sections, in which case careful thought must be given to:
• access within the building to each of the sections as they are handed over;
• areas through which users may have to pass that might still be under the control of the contractor - carefully agreed procedures for this must be worked out with the contractor via the Project Manager;
• security provision for these areas, as they are the responsibility of the provider once they have been handed over;
• the provision of an appropriate staff induction programme;
• ensuring risk assessments for all key activities including fire, health and safety.
3.8.4 Operational procedures should take full account of these arrangements and ensure that the relevant staffing, budgets and delivery arrangements are in place to cope with this eventuality.