The second phase of a state-of-the-art surgical hub at Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral has been completed by Wilmslow-based modern methods of construction specialist MTX, creating a total of four new operating theatres able to treat up to 6000 patients each year.
Since the first phase of the Cheshire & Merseyside Surgical Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital opened at the end of 2022 with two new surgical theatres the hospital has treated an extra 3,000 patients who needed elective surgery.
In September 2022 new funding was announced which included building two further theatres as part of phase two of the project. MTX therefore began work on the extension before the first phase was handed over - working on the two projects simultaneously.
This £25 million innovative development, enabled through national NHS funding, employed Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) which saw pre-manufactured steel-framed building sections craned onto the site alongside existing theatres at Clatterbridge Hospital and assembled by the skilled team from MTX, before installing exterior cladding, interior finishes and floor screeds. Employing MMC principles reduced time for completion and ensured that the centre was up and running as soon as possible.
Phase 1 of the surgical hub contained two new operating theatres 12 patient recovery bays and a plant equipment room containing air handling units and electrical supply panels. The ground floor of Phase 2 includes the two additional theatres, utility rooms, preparation rooms and anaesthetic rooms, alongside six additional patient recovery areas, storage and office space. On the first floor are a staff changing/training facility and a plantroom to serve the new facilities with power, ventilation and electrical and mechanical services.
They then fitted out the theatre complex including equipping the operating theatres, and installed all mechanical, electrical and plumbing elements, commissioning plant equipment areas containing air handling units and electrical supply panels.
The use of MMC principles by MTX can reduce build times by more than 50%, cut waste by up to 60%, and enable faster, more cost effective and low carbon delivery of high quality buildings that are fully compliant with latest healthcare standards.
MTX Managing Director David Hartley said: "We have worked closely with Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to create this exciting new facility. Expertise in MMC enables us to quickly and cost effectively deliver high quality new hospital facilities specifically engineered for medical use."