Offsite solutions provider, ModuleCo Healthcare (MCH), has handed over a new ophthalmic theatre to St Mary’s Hospital.
Built using modern methods of construction (MMC), the bespoke modular operating theatre and recovery unit will be instrumental in helping the Isle of Wight NHS Trust clear the backlog in ophthalmic treatment on the island and surrounding areas.
The project was delivered in 20 weeks from order to handover, with most of the work, including the design, manufacture, and pre-install quality checks being completed offsite, before the six individual modules were shipped over to the island.
The high-specification theatre will enable the hospital to treat up to 18 more patients a day – a 40% increase in its current surgical capacity.
This will also reduce the number of patient referrals to NHS trusts off the island.
And the theatre releases an existing operating unit on site currently used for ophthalmology cases, allowing the trust to treat more urology, general surgery, and gynaecology cases.
The facility includes an ophthalmic theatre and two large separate male and female recovery suites, designed to suit the specific needs of the hospital.
The provision of the facility has been made possible by the trust agreeing to a five-year hire agreement, reducing the need for the trust to find upfront capital for the project.
It’s a great example of the value NHS trusts can unlock by choosing true offsite construction, together with the flexible rental agreements we offer, allowing solutions that are financially viable and delivered quickly without any compromise on quality and patient care
Philip Moradi, clinical lead for ophthalmology at the trust, said: “The new theatre is an incredible opportunity to deliver high-volume modern cataract surgery in a 21st-century setting.
“There will also be a £2m investment into the theatre, pre-operative cataract analysis equipment, a two-step treatment pathway to surgery, a dedicated retina and cataract suite, and the ability to access virtual clinics.”
Alan Wilson, managing director at MCH, added: “This project goes a long way in delivering social value for Isle of Wight residents, retaining core services on the island and allowing St Mary’s Hospital to increase its ophthalmic surgical capacity by around 40%.
“Working alongside our manufacturing partner, ModuleCo, we were able to successfully deliver this project in just 20 weeks from order to handover – a significantly-quicker time than a traditional build.
“It’s a great example of the value NHS trusts can unlock by choosing true offsite construction, together with the flexible rental agreements we offer, allowing solutions that are financially viable and delivered quickly without any compromise on quality and patient care.