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and shifting of a whole workforce in nine weeks has been a real achievement. Nine weeks from start to finish, and opening up what I can only call a micro version of a hospital, is absolutely phenomenal.”


Without the use of off-site construction methods, those timescales would not have been possible. Vanguard’s relocatable theatres and endoscopy complex enable the delivery and commissioning of surgical and clinical environments within weeks. Building the modules in the factory while simultaneously completing groundwork meant that the project was completed much more quickly than if traditional methods had been used. The chances of weather-related delays are greatly reduced and quality control is more effective in a factory environment. Quicker installation brought forward the benefits to patients and staff and minimised any disruption to the everyday activity at the hospital. The quick delivery would only have been


worthwhile if the end results met the needs of the Health Board, staff and patients. Sarah commented, “Within 12 working days of the surgical suite being open, we’ve seen over 150 patients. The scope of activity that we have going through there is way above and beyond what we originally expected. “That’s due to the support of the radiology,


the radiation team, sterile services. The scope is very wide, so we are now putting through general surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, max-facs, pain, ENT… Probably all our services are going through it with some procedures and treatments.” Feedback from staff and patients has been very positive. Pre-conceived ideas about a Vanguard operating theatre sometimes include that they are smaller than the ideal environment. As Sarah explains, “Naturally, there were


some reservations because none of the staff had worked in a Vanguard unit before. They had preconceptions that they were going to be working in a tight space and that they wouldn’t have the luxuries that they have in a normal theatre. But that’s turned around completely. “They absolutely love working in them. They said that they’re bigger than expected and they have ample room for storage. The admission and the discharge pathway is full of dignity. The theatres are adequate, and you’ve got the additional first recovery stage. The team are absolutely thrilled and want to work in the Vanguards.” Speaking about the surgical complex, Sarah


Edwards expresses a similar sentiment to that of Dr. Yapp at the opening of the endoscopy complex, “When we were informed of the critical incident, we had to optimise by placing staff in other areas, coveraing any gaps we had in any


8 www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I October 2025


One of the four mobile theatres


rotas or transferring staff over to other sites, to be considered as supernumerary or to be assistants in the theatres. The staff lost a little bit of identity and ownership. Nevertheless, we were in a critical incident and that is what we had to do. However, now that they’ve got the Vanguards, they’re back to their cohesive working and back to their teamwork. They are now operating as per their job plans and running as per their shift, so their morale has been boosted tremendously.” Patients also appreciate the new


environment. Sarah commented, “We’ve had tremendous feedback from the patients. I was actually on site when our first five patients came in. And the first impression was that they felt they were in a five-star hotel.” Rhys Hopkins, concurred, “The initial feedback from patients has been brilliant. We’ve managed it via QR codes and telephone calls, pre- and post-operatively, and patients have been really complementary.” Building this facility, to a design and standard that meets the needs of the Health Board, linking it to the rest of the Royal Glamorgan estate, equipping it, establishing new procedures and introducing staff to their new environment was a considerable achievement, especially when considering the high-quality of the facility, and taking into account the urgency of the situation and the tight space within which the facility was created. The reactions of staff and patients are additional reasons for the Health Board to take pride in their response, which ensured that a critical incident didn’t become a crisis. The real measure of success is the


improvement in patients’ lives, months earlier than would otherwise have been possible. Dom Hurford explains, “The longer patients have to wait, the sicker they get. Therefore, the operation and recovery become more complicated. Ultimately, their care is affected;


hence, we had to do something at speed.” During the ten weeks that the surgical


hub was providing replacement capacity for the Princess of Wales Hospital, across seven different specialties, over 1,000 patients received life-changing surgery. Meanwhile, in twelve weeks, at thirty JAG points per day, the endoscopy facility enabled 1,500 patients to progress along their treatment pathway. Maximising the benefit provided by the


Vanguard ‘mini-hospital’, it will now be used as additional rather than alternative capacity, with staff and patients of the Royal Glamorgan Hospital replacing those of the Princess of Wales and working to reduce waiting lists. Other NHS Wales Health Boards will also utilise the facility to reduce the waiting times of their patients. The impact of this facility on patients is summed-up by Dr. Dom Hurford, Executive Medical Director at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB and Consultant Anaesthetist at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, “Talking to the patients, I don’t think they see a difference. To them, it doesn’t matter whether they’ve gone upstairs to the theatre or come out to this complex. “They’ve had their operation in a facility that


was built in under ten weeks, but to them, they’ve come to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, they’ve had their operation, and they’ve gone home. Job done!”


Email: info@vanguardhealthcare.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1452 651850


Web: www.vanguardhealthcare.co.uk


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