ModuleCo has completed and handed over an MRI community diagnostic centre at Furness General Hospital in Barrow-in-Furness.
This project follows on the heels of other CDC and modular healthcare builds by ModuleCo across the UK, including recent diagnostic centres in London and Kent.
The move is part of the NHS’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) programme, and is funded by it.
Developed in close partnership with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), who will run the centre with local primary care providers, the new CDC will expand the hospital’s imaging capacity and accelerate patient diagnoses.
The new imaging hub will be known as the Croslands Community Diagnostic Centre and will be located on the Furness General Hospital site, to the rear of the existing Croslands building.
Patients will access the new centre via GP or specialist referral, rather than having to travel to larger regional hospitals for advanced scans.
Creating an MRI-focused “one stop” facility
The Croslands CDC’s focal point is a cutting-edge MRI scanning suite capable of delivering high-resolution imaging for a range of conditions.
The design features:
- An MRI scanner suite with a separate operator control room
- A patient preparation area and a recovery area for post-scan care
- Patient changing facilities, plus a reception and waiting area
- Three clinical consulting/exam rooms for additional tests and patient consultations
All of these elements are housed under one roof, making it “one stop”.
This means patients no longer need to navigate multiple hospital departments or wait in general outpatient areas for imaging appointments.
“It will be a huge improvement for our patients,” said Joanne Park, Head of Radiology at FGH. “Patients will be able to come directly into the new centre and won’t have to wait in the Outpatients Reception or go to different areas of the hospital for tests”.
The construction journey
ModuleCo delivered the Furness CDC using its innovative off-site construction approach, enabling a rapid and efficient build.
The single-storey building was manufactured as a series of modules in ModuleCo’s factory and delivered to site at approximately 90% complete. This “factory-first” method allowed on-site foundation and enabling works to proceed in parallel with off-site fabrication.
As a result, overall project timelines were significantly shortened and disruption to the busy hospital campus was minimised. The new building was installed on a previously unused piece of land at FGH that had been earmarked for capacity expansion.
ModuleCo’s team worked closely with the Trust’s estates and clinical teams throughout design and construction, ensuring the facility was tailored to the hospital’s needs and ready for immediate integration upon delivery. The project remained on schedule and within budget, exemplifying how modern methods of construction can accelerate healthcare estates projects without compromising on quality.
“With a focus on innovative design and efficient delivery, our off-site approach minimises disruption and accelerates project timelines,” said Andy Godden, Managing Director of ModuleCo. “Ultimately, it’s about improving patient care. By working collaboratively with trusts like UHMBT, we’re able to create high-quality facilities that benefit patients sooner,” he said.