HEALTH SECTOR NEWS
‘Mini hospital’ built in nine weeks
A collaboration between Vanguard Healthcare Solutions and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM) has delivered a fully functioning ‘mini hospital’ in nine weeks. The facility provides vital alternative
capacity during emergency refurbishment and is helping to reduce patient waiting times. A critical incident was declared
at the Princess of Wales Hospital in October 2024, when eight theatres and 10 wards were closed and the Intensive Care Unit was relocated. With orthopaedic surgery and endoscopy capacity particularly under threat, the Health Board needed alternative facilities to maintain essential services.
Vanguard responded by delivering
a temporary endoscopy facility in six weeks, followed by a surgical facility three weeks later. These mobile units replaced capacity for diagnostic and surgical procedures while refurbishment work was ongoing. The mobile endoscopy suite comprises two HGV-delivered facilities, joined to provide two treatment rooms, a ward, and scope sterilisation under one roof. The surgical facility features four mobile theatres alongside two modular wards and support rooms, including reception, consultation areas, staff welfare rooms, and changing facilities. This flexible environment supports a wide range of procedures, freeing up existing theatres for major surgeries. Following completion of
£12 m A&E expansion for Brighton hospital
Willmott Dixon Interiors has completed a £12 m project to create a new Acute Medical Unit Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The expansion is part of a wider
reconfiguration of the Emergency Department and Acute Floor, which aims to create improved facilities for patients and staff. The completion of construction
was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by 20 guests, including representatives from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex), Willmott Dixon Interiors, and the project’s consultant team. The refurbishment reconfigured
the hospital’s acute floor to provide medical assessment spaces, improving circulation, and modernising the facilities. Works encompassed a full mechanical, electrical and public health systems
replacement, including both refurbished and new air handling plant, strengthening the hospital’s long-term infrastructure. The project follows other significant work delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors for UHSussex, including a multimillion- pound modular refurbishment at Princess Royal Hospital and a state-of-the-art children’s audiology testing centre at Brighton’s Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. Will Walkinton, healthcare sector lead at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Our continued collaboration with UHSussex has enabled us to improve Acute Floor capacity to better support critical patients and meet growing demand. “By investing in upgrades to the
hospital environment, UHSussex has enhanced the experience for both patients and staff. We remain committed to working closely with the Trust to support long-term healthcare improvements across its estate.” Roy Evans, director of capital
development and property at UHSussex, said: “These improvements will make a real difference for patients needing urgent and acute care.”
refurbishment at the Princess of Wales Hospital, the Vanguard facilities at Royal Glamorgan Hospital are being used to reduce waiting lists across South Wales. Gethin Hughes, CTM COO, said:
“We wanted to mobilise as much additional capacity as we could. Speed was important, but also flexibility, so we could support the widest range of procedures.”
Sarah Edwards, directorate manager at CTM, added: “Nine weeks from start to finish, opening what I can only call a micro version of a hospital… it’s absolutely phenomenal. The Vanguard facility mirrors our existing theatres and wards, providing an efficient and effective pathway for admissions and discharges. It was the obvious solution.”
Sitemark secures framework for catering and cleaning
Independent FM consultancy Sitemark has been appointed to two national ESPO frameworks covering catering and cleaning consultancy, strengthening public sector access to independent procurement and contract management expertise. The UK-based facilities management benchmarking and best practice consultancy has been selected for ESPO 704C_25 (Catering Consultancy) and ESPO 263C_25 (Cleaning Consultancy). The appointments enable local authorities, NHS Trusts, education providers, housing associations and blue-light services to procure specialist support for the planning, procurement and management of catering and cleaning contracts. Both frameworks run from April
2025 to April 2027, with the option to extend to 2029, and were awarded following a competitive evaluation process. Sitemark was appointed alongside 19 suppliers on the catering framework and 20 on the cleaning framework. Catering and cleaning represent a significant proportion of public sector FM spend and are widely recognised as complex service areas to optimise. Rising costs,
tightening regulation, and growing sustainability expectations have increased demand for independent, evidence-based advice. Jiger Shah, associate
procurement manager at Sitemark, said the appointments came at a critical time for public sector organisations. “Catering and cleaning are often underestimated in terms of complexity, yet when delivered well they have a direct impact on wellbeing, productivity and public health,” he said. “Our independence means we are focused solely on helping clients achieve the best outcomes, drawing on two decades of benchmarking data and sector expertise.” Under both frameworks, Sitemark
will provide end-to-end consultancy support across the contract lifecycle. This includes requirements definition, service specification development, tender documentation, and contract negotiation.
February 2026 Health Estate Journal 19
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