offsite construction
In the event of an emergency
This article explores how modular construction can benefit the emergency services T
he emergency services are under immense strain, facing a whole host of challenges including budget cuts, changing patient demographics, compliance with regulatory standards, ageing infrastructure, and inadequate facilities. And the NHS is particularly impacted, with an increasing number of A&E departments no longer fit for purpose. The age of the buildings is a significant part of the problem. Nearly a fifth of the NHS estate was built before the health service was formed in 1948 and there are even wards in some buildings that date back to the 1700s.
A lack of space Among the more-severe problems identified are wards that are too small, poorly-designed A&E units, and services being spread across too wide an area.
“The NHS is at a point of crisis,” warns Ryan Jones of MTX Contracts. “And new hospitals and state-of-the-art facilities are needed imminently to help avoid a significant failure of services.” He added: “Several issues plague the healthcare sector when it comes to
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construction, including a lack of space, and architects having to squeeze new hospital buildings into awkward locations and link new state-of-the-art facilities to structures that were built decades ago.
“Lack of space also means they are
requested to build upwards on top of existing buildings and add new structures in car parks or near roads.” But modular construction approaches
are increasingly providing a flexible and affordable way to expand emergency capacity quickly and easily. “Due to the ever-increasing demands on hospital A&E departments, they are looking to modular construction to build new facilities or extend existing buildings,” said Jones.
“After construction has taken place
offsite, some modular buildings can be installed in a matter of days; meaning hospitals can expand quickly and have the facilities needed to deal with the increased demand.” NHS England has also recently set a goal for all hospitals with an A&E department to have a front door streaming service to alleviate pressure and direct patients to the best-possible health or care professional.
And modular solutions are becoming a popular way of providing the physical space for this service.
Meeting demand “Modular ED streaming facilities can be swiftly and seamlessly connected to existing hospitals,” said Jones. “They provide a bespoke area for this to take place, enabling hospitals to make that distinction much clearer and make the best use of space.” He added: “Going forwards, hospitals and A&E departments need to ensure they can periodically upgrade to ensure they can continue to meet demands in the future.
“Unlike traditionally-constructed buildings, modular constructions allow new spaces to be added to the main structure quickly without obstructing the regular functioning of the building. “Equally, removing or renovating modular structures are far more straightforward than conventional buildings. “Modular technology offers innovative, cost-effective construction to the NHS and emergency services now and into the future.”
www.mtxcontracts.co.uk
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