COMMENT COVER STORY Advertising feature


Key role for innovative FLEX financing at Plymouth’s New REI


The striking new Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) created offsite for Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by Modern Methods of Construction specialist, MTX, is helping to meet the increasing demand for eye surgery and treatment from across Devon and Cornwall. However, its rapid provision was made possible only through the innovative FLEX managed services project package developed by MTX, and extraordinary collaboration between the contractor and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The off-site three-floor REI brings together outpatient and surgical eye treatments previously provided within the main hospital, and is designed to enable operations on an additional 520 patients each month, along with an extra 2,300 outpatient appointments. The facility includes three operating theatres, an increased number of treatment rooms, and an expanded area for young patients. Its off-site location on William Prance Road, with a drop-off zone and parking immediately outside the building, also improves access for patients.


IHEEM


May 2024 Volume 78 Number 5 www.iheem.org.uk


JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT


NGINEERING


A focus on learning and development


Learnings from Sweden on designing for wellbeing


No two hospital lift projects the same


Minimising the cyber risks unique to hospitals www.healthestatejournal.com


FC HEJ May24.indd 1 17/04/2024 11:07


void uncovered during site preparation, and achieving the required building specification and compliance to a tight timescale and a limited budget. The FLEX 5-year managed services finance solution developed by MTX was a vital element in progressing the project – by providing the flexible financial arrangements that enabled it to proceed. FLEX is ‘a true no- capital and cash-neutral solution which includes all project costs – from groundworks through to hard and soft


facilities management’. An early project start guaranteed access to Government funding for the Trust, and avoided increased costs due to the inevitable inflation had


One of the ground-floor operating theatres is dedicated to sub-specialisms such as oculoplastic, orbital, and corneal surgeries, to reduce waiting times of patients. The first floor was designed to accommodate consulting/examination and testing rooms, while the second has offices and plant areas for the medical IT and uninterruptible power supplies and air-handling systems.


Critical success factors for the project included adapting the design of the new REI to the challenging sloping site location, dealing with a sub-basement


the project been delayed. Completion of the new REI by summer 2023 represented an impressive achievement that demonstrates the value of open and collaborative working.


MTX Contracts


Brooke Court, Innovation House Lower Meadow Rd Handforth


Wilmslow SK9 3ND T: 0161 694 0123 E: info@mtx.co.uk www.mtxcontracts.co.uk


As a professional engineering institute with a long-standing reputation for the expertise and knowledge of its members, IHEEM has always put considerable store on training and developing the healthcare engineering and estate management workforce, and also on succession planning. Last year, the Institute launched a Training & Development section in HEJ, discussing topics such as the steps to accreditation, the membership application process, the work of IHEEM’s Knowledge Partners, and the education and training benefits of IHEEM membership. Te new section also highlights individual members’ career experience, looking back on how they entered the field and their key motivators, how they have developed their skills and knowledge since, and how, in many cases, they have gone on to ‘give back’ by passing on their expertise through mentoring aspiring and upcoming engineers. One of the key ways for members to grow


their knowledge and forge contacts with fellow professionals is through attending and participating in Branch events. Tis month’s Training & Development section (pages 10-15) highlights some of the interesting activities a number of IHEEM branches have been involved in over the past 2-3 years – from group visits to new hospitals, to involvement in careers fairs, and CPD events on topics such as the Building Safety Act, Net Zero Carbon, and specialist M&E challenges. Te range of Branch activities continues to expand, and, events are oſten also held at interesting venues. March’s North-West Branch event, for example (see pages 39-41) was held at a new Healthcare Innovation Centre established by Company Affiliates, MIG Medical and Dräger in Altrincham. Knowledge-sharing is also high on the agenda


at international events. This month’s HEJ is one of the four ‘IFHE’ issues we publish annually, and in addition to two interesting articles from overseas – one on cybersecurity risks for hospitals, and the other on a power upgrade at a Vancouver hospital, the IFHE News includes a look ahead to what the organisers say should be a ‘high octane’ 28th IFHE World Congress in Cape Town this October. The event Programme Chair describes the quality of speakers and abstracts as ‘phenomenal’. Conference delegates will be able to hear from 72 speakers from 17 countries spread over five continents, while enjoying staying in one of South Africa’s most vibrant locations.


Jonathan Baillie,


Editor jonathanbaillie@ stepcomms.com


May 2024 Health Estate Journal 5


health estate journal tate jou


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