Darwin Group has completed a new On-Demand Ultraclean Operating Theatre at Hereford County Hospital, providing additional capacity for planned gynaecology, obstetric and general surgery.
Delivered in partnership with Wye Valley NHS Trust, the facility began treating patients on 5 October, with its first caesarean procedures taking place on 20 October.
More than 90% of the theatre was constructed at Darwin Group's manufacturing facility before being transported to the hospital for final installation.
The offsite manufacturing approach enabled the company to carry out the majority of construction in a controlled factory environment, reducing the amount of work required on the hospital site and helping to minimise disruption to ongoing clinical operations.
The completed facility provides a dedicated operating environment for planned gynaecology and obstetric procedures, including elective caesarean sections, alongside general surgery.
Darwin also built Bracknell Forest Centre for Health, which won the Gold Award for Best Modular/Mobile Healthcare Facility at yesterday’s Building Better Healthcare Awards event.
How does the model work?
Darwin Group's On-Demand model combines offsite manufacturing with a hire agreement, allowing healthcare providers to add clinical space without committing to a conventional permanent construction project.
Although available to hire, the company said the facility is designed to provide the quality, performance and clinical standards expected of a permanent healthcare building.
Its On-Demand Ultraclean Operating Theatre range is designed around hospital requirements, incorporating ultraclean ventilation, clinical services and infrastructure intended to support surgical procedures.
The company describes the facilities as permanent-grade solutions that can be adapted to individual hospital estates.
“Seeing the theatre become operational is a proud moment for everyone involved. Knowing that the facility has already supported the arrival of its first baby makes this milestone even more special,” said James Pearson, Managing Director at Darwin Group.
The Hereford project follows Darwin Group's previous work delivering modular surgical facilities for NHS trusts, including a two-theatre complex at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, which was introduced to maintain elective procedures during refurbishment work.
