<h4>An urgent need for investment</h4>
<p>The site has been a pioneering facility for more than a century and serves as the UK’s main animal health science capability and is home to the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal and Plant Health Agency</a>’s (APHA) central laboratory and headquarters. Today, the Weybridge facilities are in need of significant investment to bring them up to modern standards and make them fit for the future. Investing in Weybridge is key for safeguarding the UK’s animal health science capabilities to protect against zoonotic diseases. </p>
<p>Key features of the facility include:</p><ul><li>In vitro research laboratories, operating at containment levels 2 and 3</li><li>In-vivo suites to suit a wide range of research programmes and operating at various containment levels</li><li>Specialist post-mortem and cold storage areas</li><li>Staff accommodation, change areas and office space</li><li>Highly complex engineering services, including effluent treatment plant and clinical waste incinerator</li></ul>

<h4>Kicking off the programme</h4>
<p>Lexica is a leading specialist healthcare and life sciences consultancy, supporting organisations in the UK and internationally with the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of their services now and into the future. <br /></p>
<p>We have a long-standing relation with the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department for Environment, Food &amp; Rural Affairs</a> (DEFRA) and APHA, having initially provided support to their Outline Business Case in 2018/19. This commission started in the summer of 2020, with Lexica appointed to lead a value management study to challenge the pre-existing spatial requirements and potential solutions. Working with APHA and technical partners, our team helped realise a 20% reduction in the proposed space required to deliver the science case without compromising science capability. </p>
<p>As an integral part of the Programme Management Office, Lexica has been leading on multiple aspects of the programme, including supporting the development of the Programme Business Case (PBC) during 2021. Using our well-established technical expertise, this included a feasibility study to explore a wide range of technical options with different levels of flexibility and technical functionality. </p>
<p>Lexica also supported with the delivery configuration options. Leading the Programme team, we assessed whether the Science Hub should be delivered as a single or multiple buildings, considering the delivery and procurement aspects and various design layouts. We concluded with a formal evaluation process to select the best option. Our proactive approach ensured that the objectives of the business case were achieved and the PBC was approved. </p>

<h4>Supporting the IPMO</h4>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.lexica.co.uk/services/project-management" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Project </a>and <a href="https://www.lexica.co.uk/services/programme-management" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Programme</a> Management teams worked closely with the client in the Capital, Transformation, and Integrated Programme Management Offices (IPMOs) and were responsible for key planning activities. We set up the Master Schedule, guided the client activity planning, and added value by putting together a very comprehensive functional critical path on which to base further refinements. </p>
<p>We provided strategic planning and high-level programme governance, including standardising and consolidating best practices and processes across the Programmes to facilitate delivery of individual projects. Our team made a notable contribution to the programme culture through communication and training on techniques, methodologies, and best practices. The IPMO team leads the monthly programme reporting, which requires consolidating large datasets, key programme meetings, and the weekly Programme Review Meeting (PRM). </p>
<p>Lexica also plays a key role in the Programme governance, by managing monthly Capital, Integration and Programme Boards. This includes scheduling all steering and board committee meetings; preparing and disseminating correspondence, terms of reference and agendas; supporting and facilitating the completion of regular reporting packs and developing and maintaining an approved record system.</p>

Mark Halstead

<h4>Risk management </h4>
<p>The Lexica team also led in the cross-cutting programme risk discipline. We set up the overall risk management strategy: providing a consistent risk management practice by developing and distributing guidance, specifications and templates. This documentation outlines the standard organisation risk management processes for identification, assessment, planning, monitoring, and controlling risks. Lexica led on the upskilling of the programme on risk management, aiding to develop a risk culture through teach-ins and workshops. </p>
<p>As the SCAH programme progressed, we started to assess the proximity and risk appetite. The SCAH risk management team supported on the development of a dynamic risk management software which will enhance the risk management capability of the programme. When implemented, the software will reduce the amount of time required to update risk registers and allows more time to provide enhanced risk intelligent information. Along with superior auditability and automated dashboards, the risk software provides an improved user interface. Our team of experts also provided risk training to the client when necessary and established a Risk Management Board. </p>

<h4>The transformation PMO</h4>
<p><span dir="ltr">The SCAH Programme is not only a new and upgraded estate - it also has a parallel Transformation Programme being implemented to allow science benefits to be maximised in the new facilities.</span></p>
<p>The Transformation PMO is a later addition and early in its maturity but is a unique aspect of the overall Programme. Our team plans the transformation programme schedule and proactively monitor its progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action defining the programme's governance arrangements. </p>
<p>Working closely with the APHA and DEFRA Design Authority, we ensure effective quality assurance and the overall integrity of the programme, focusing both on the internal consistency of the programme and on its coherence with infrastructure planning, interfaces with other programmes and corporate, technical and specialist standards. </p>

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DEFRA Science Capability in Animal Health Programme, UK

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Lexica led on various streams of work in the transformation of animal health science facilities at the Weybridge Science Campus.

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