Sustainability and energy efficiency were key to the development of a new resource centre at Fulbourn Hospital.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust’s (CPFT) new £5.8m building features a gym, offices, and social and recreational spaces, as well as a café, physio, and occupational therapy areas. 

Construction work on the two-storey, 1,200sq metre facility on the site of the hospital’s previous resource centre was carried out by Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridgeshire business.

And the contractor utilised its Intelligent Solutions approach to adopt an innovative modular construction method, which saw 25 existing modules from the former Papworth Hospital transported to the site and renovated to create the new facility.

Recycling the modular units meant the existing steel structure could be used, cutting the build time significantly and avoiding the need for new materials to be manufactured, transported, and installed.

This method also diverted a significant amount of waste from landfill and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The centre will not only act as a gateway to the hospital, but it also provides a much-needed activities and leisure hub, which is crucial for patients and carers

In total, the approach decarbonised the hospital estate by 144 tonnes of carbon.

The offsite technique also minimised disruption to Fulbourn Hospital and its users, while also achieving time-saving benefits.

And ensuring the modules arrived as completely-weather-tight and empty shells meant they were ready for interior renovations within just four days of delivery. 

The trust’s pharmacy service was the first to move in and it will soon be joined by music, art, and drama therapists, alongside members of the Heart and Soul chaplaincy team. 

In total, the centre will co-locate over 25 people from existing departments and it has been carefully designed to meet the needs of its users, including patients who require intensive mental health support. 

Jamie Shearman, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Cambridgeshire, said: “It’s great to see the doors open, as we know that it is going to deliver a long list of benefits for the local community. 

Our experience working on similar healthcare and mental health facilities allowed us to leverage insights and knowledge that led to savings on productivity and carbon while streamlining the design and decision-making processes

“The centre will not only act as a gateway to the hospital, but it also provides a much-needed activities and leisure hub, which is crucial for patients and carers.

“Thanks to our collaborative relationship with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, we have utilised a number of innovative and creative solutions which made this a highly-sustainable project. 

“And our experience working on similar healthcare and mental health facilities allowed us to leverage insights and knowledge that led to savings on productivity and carbon while streamlining the design and decision-making processes.” 

He added: “Re-using the existing modular buildings is a great example of our Intelligent Solutions ethos, as it required an alternative approach to the project’s delivery and a lot of creative thinking to generate as much value for the hospital as possible. 

“While challenging, this resulted in a high-end space which is going to be invaluable for so many patients while simultaneously aligning with the trust’s vital green goals.” 

Alison Manton, the trust’s associate director of estates, added: “The new resource centre is a fantastic addition to our Fulbourn site. 

Re-using the existing modular buildings is a great example of our Intelligent Solutions ethos, as it required an alternative approach to the project’s delivery and a lot of creative thinking

“The buildings have been repurposed and transformed into a place which, I believe, staff, service-users, and visitors will really enjoy.” 

Other carbon-reducing aspects of the development include the use of HVO fuel, which saw the construction team use approximately 2,000 litres of fuel which emit 97% less carbon than traditional diesel. 

Electric car charging was also freely available onsite for the hospital’s staff.  

And the use of a light-weight screed during the project provided a number of construction and environmental benefits.

The chosen screed is less weight intensive on the building structure and dries more quickly, making it highly suitable for a modular build.

It also uses less cement due to its lower volume.