Merit has delivered a major milestone for Solihull Hospital's new £25m Elective Hub (Operating Theatre Block) project.
The modular construction expert has delivered five crucial Air Handling Unit (AHU) PODs and two Substation PODs, which have since been lifted into position as part of the £25m project.
The new Elective Hub (Operating Theatre Block) at Solihull Hospital
The project is led by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB).
The £25m NHS project will include the provision of a two-storey building, encompassing six high-quality operating theatres and supporting services.
Merit expects to hand over the Hub to the Trust in June 2024
Merit expects to hand over the Hub to the Trust in June 2024.
The new hub is expected to facilitate an additional 11,500 treatments annually, significantly boosting elective procedure capacity at Solihull Hospital.
The delivery and Installation of the PODs
The Northumberland-based construction company used a 500T crane to lift the 30-tonne AHU PODs and the 35-tonne Substation PODs onto the hospital roof.
The delivery of the PODs was a logistical feat underscoring the technical complexities and innovative solutions deployed in this project.
The PODS was delivered to the Solihull hospital site from Merit’s Cramlington facility.
Merit’s FLEXI POD solution is central to this initiative
The installation marks a pivotal phase in the project’s timeline, progressing the project to meet its June 2024 deadline.
Tony Wells, CEO of Merit, said: “With waiting lists at record highs, we are really proud to be supporting the NHS with this landmark contract, which will allow a significant number of people access to the treatment they need.”
“This latest milestone in the project is a significant step toward the completion of the surgery hub and reflects the speed and efficiency, which is central to Merit’s unique approach,” Wells concluded.
Merit’s trademarked innovation
Merit’s FLEXI POD (trademarked) solution is central to this initiative as 81% of the build is manufactured offsite at its Cramlington-based facility.
This approach expedites construction and also significantly reduces the environmental impact, aligning with sustainable construction practices.
The update follows the announcement in August 2023 that UHB appointed Merit to design and deliver its new state-of-the-art elective operating theatre block.
