offsite construction
We look at how modular and mobile solutions are helping to boost operating theatre capacity
Operation Offsite P
ressure on the NHS has never been greater, and with more patients and the expectation of shorter
treatment times, the challenge is on for trusts to carry out more operations. Often this means upgrading current
theatres or building completely-new surgical facilities. But developing these from scratch
using traditional construction methods is hugely costly, time consuming, and disruptive. So a new generation of facilities is increasingly being commissioned –
utilising offsite construction methods. Alan Wilson of ModuleCo said
modular solutions had become key to meeting the demand. “NHS trusts operate in a volatile
environment where government funding is uncertain in the long term, yet the demand for acute services increases year on year,” he said. “A key component in any acute
hospital is the operating theatre and we find that trusts are using modular theatres for a number of reasons, including to enable continuous operation during site-wide rebuilds, or for the provision of specialist surgical services.
A quick turnaround “Off-site construction techniques such as modular build have developed enormously in the last 10 years and, most commonly, modular theatres can also be used as permanent facilities, provided in rapid time-scales and with funding
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healthcaredm.co.uk
options available, including hire.” Key benefits compared to traditional
construction methods are that overall programme times are reduced by more than 50% and time on site is also cut by half, reducing disruption and environmental impact and enhancing site safety. And assembly is carried out in a clean,
controlled, factory environment that guarantees a superior build quality. “Process-driven factory construction
methodology enables programme and budget certainty, so, critically, trusts know what they will pay and when they will be operational,” said Wilson. “Flexibility is assured through designs
that allow for future expansion by increasing the building footprint or providing additional storeys.” ModuleCo recently handed over a
modular operating theatre to Bedford Hospital. The facility sits on a podium directly
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