The impact of offsite construction methods on delivering sustainable healthcare buildings continues to be highlighted with the completion of a new gynaecological theatre suite at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

ModuleCo has installed the facility for North Bristol NHS Trust, delivering 13 modules which were developed at the company’s factory in Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire.

With a total footprint of 2,470sq ft, the facility consists of two operating theatres with specialist equipment for gynaecological procedures, supported by integral scrubs, lay-up preparation rooms, anaesthetic rooms, dirty utility rooms, a five-bed first-stage recovery area, offices, and various suppor and staff rest areas.

And 20% of the building’s power will be generated by solar panels, demonstrating the trust’s commitment to sustainability, an agenda set by NHS England which mandates health trusts to work towards delivering a net-zero national health service by 2040.

A more-sustainable approach

Juliette Hughes, the trust’s divisional director of nursing for women and children’s health, said: “This lets us provide the best-possible care to women needing routine or emergency gynaecology treatment at Southmead Hospital. 

“These state-of-the-art new facilities have also allowed us to upgrade all of our theatres across women and children’s health in line with other theatres in the hospital.”

ModuleCo’s team completed the factory assembly phase and all modules have now been installed on site. 

Completing 90% of the construction and fitout in the factory provides a more-sustainable approach to construction and has also been vital in helping the trust minimise disruption on the active hospital estate.

Jonathan Brindley, sales and marketing director for ModuleCo, said: “We are delighted to be building a partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust and supporting it to deliver the highest standards of care to the women in its communities. 

“This facility represents a significant step in the trust’s long-term strategy to upgrade its gynaecological theatre facilities, expanding services and securing additional critical care capacity.

“Sustainability was an important factor for the team and the facility is provided with rooftop solar panels and increased efficiency heat recovery as well as being futureproofed for changes to the trust’s heating infrastructure.”