Darwin Group has completed the handover of a temporary theatre and ward facility at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, providing additional clinical capacity while refurbishment works are carried out at the hospital's Women and Children's Hospital.
"Following groundworks, the modules for the theatres and wide facility were installed from January this year, and following the rigorous commissioning period, we handed over in early June," Tom Morgan, Design Director for Darwin Group, told Building Better Healthcare.
The facility, which includes two operating theatres and an inpatient ward, has been introduced to enable planned procedures to continue throughout the upgrade programme, helping to avoid delays or cancellations for local patients while maintaining access to services.
Designed and delivered by Darwin Group, the temporary complex has been built to the same standards as a permanent healthcare facility.
According to the company, it is the first hireable theatre facility of its kind in the NHS to incorporate a concrete floor, alongside a fully equipped operating environment that mirrors the functionality of a permanent theatre suite.
We've really pushed the limits of what is possible with Modular and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
"We are really proud that we've managed to take the standards of permanent construction and apply it to our solutions that are hireable for as long as healthcare providers need them," said Morgan.
Morgan said that the project team made the bespoke clinical modules as high as transportation rules allow, so that the operating theatre has adequate ceiling heights space for the ultraclean ventilation systems.
"The concrete floor that is poured in the factory rather than on site means when the clinical team walk into one of the on-demand operating theatres for the first time, they can't tell it's not a permanent building," said Morgan.
Building Better Healthcare visited Shawbury last November and took a tour of one of the opearating theatres as it was being constucted.
The theatre features a sleek surgical pendant hangs above the operating area, fitted with high-intensity, shadow-free LED lights that can be precisely positioned.
Along the walls and floors, strategically placed power outlets and data ports ensure equipment can be safely connected without clutter.
Bright sinks and large windows bring natural light and functionality, while the overall layout feels spacious and practical, designed to accommodate even the most complex procedures.
The project aims to challenge traditional perceptions of temporary healthcare accommodation by providing a clinical environment that both feels and functions like a permanent facility.
Hospital leaders say the temporary setup will support the delivery of safe, high-quality care throughout the refurbishment programme, which is due to be completed in December 2026.
Around 75% of the building was constructed off site before being transported and installed at the hospital, helping to accelerate delivery and minimise disruption on the live healthcare campus.
In addition to supporting patient care, the facility has been designed with staff wellbeing in mind.
The project includes more spacious working areas and improved layouts intended to create a more comfortable and practical working environment for clinical teams.
The unit is also fully relocatable, allowing it to be reused on future healthcare projects.
This approach offers greater flexibility for NHS estates while reducing waste associated with temporary accommodation.
The project forms part of the Trust's longer-term plans to modernise and improve the Doncaster Royal Infirmary site, following several years of capital investment across its hospital estate.
"This has been a real partnership with the Trust to deliver a solution that keeps patient care and treatment running while essential works are carried out," said Victoria Phillips, Partnerships Manager at Darwin Group.
"By combining modern methods of construction with permanent-grade standards, we've created a high-quality clinical environment that supports services without interruption while also offering flexibility for future healthcare projects."
Darwin Group said that the next on-demand operating theatre is currently being installed at Hereford County Hospital and due to open in the coming months.
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