A new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit has been completed at Bedford Hospital.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust appointed construction expert Merit to design and deliver the facility.
Merit is delivering a range of notable projects, including Berwick’s new Community Hospital, York Hospital’s new MRI and Hybrid Theatre and a new Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC) at Seaton Delaval.
The new SDEC Unit will offer a wide range of emergency healthcare services specifically designed to address the needs of the local community and aims to reduce wait times.
Works to manufacture the facility’s offsite components began in January at Merit's smart factory in Cramlington. This process used a product-based approach that allows offsite and onsite works to occur simultaneously.
Using this approach, Merit was able to complete this modern healthcare facility in just eight months.
We also know this will make a huge difference to patient outcomes and experience
Merit utilised its UltraPOD (registered trademark) SFS variant. UltraPOD is Merit’s expandable full-building solution that can be customised to create various types of buildings for different purposes.
The final design was developed in collaboration with clinicians and healthcare professionals.
Tony Wells, CEO of Merit. “This customisable solution enables the rapid delivery of high-quality, sustainable healthcare facilities, meeting the urgent demands of modern healthcare."
Melanie Banks, Director of Redevelopment and Strategic Planning at Bedfordshire Hospitals, added: “It’s been incredible to see how this project has developed over the past eight months and how this brand new unit has come to life.
"We also know this will make a huge difference to patient outcomes and experience.”
The construction expert also recently completed a therapy-led rehabilitation unit on site at Norwich Community Hospital, facilitating patient transition from hospital care to community.