Ophthalmic operating theatre suite installed

Site conditions were very tight due to existing hospital buildings, with a major factor of the project being to maintain the medical, administrative and support functions of the hospital at all times. This was achieved by the building being manufactured off-site as well as major lifting and craning operations being carried out at weekends and out of hours. While the building was manufactured a steel frame platform at first floor level was created and all associated ground works were carried out on site.

The 350m2 modular suite includes theatre, anaesthetic, preparation, scrub, dirty utility, four-bed recovery, reception area, staff changing and rest rooms and a link corridor attaching the new suite to the existing hospital. A new plant room along with two new air-handling units were installed at ground floor level underneath the new suite, providing a tidy and effective plant area. Both air-handling units were designed with heat recovery recuperators. All services were derived from the existing hospital with the exception of a new air gas scavenging pump.

The internal suite was finished to a high standard with sterile areas having a vinyl floor finish and walls and ceilings having a special spray finish. Sterile areas were also fitted with clean room standard polyester doors complete with flush glazing and stainless steel frames.

The theatre was fitted with main and satellite operating lamps, retractable medical gas pendants, a surgeon’s panel and a new microscope. The external appearance of the suite was designed to blend in to the existing hospital and give an attractive natural stone aggregate surface. The new suite was ready for use in 13 weeks from delivery on site. Theatre staff as well as the estates management team said the finished suite exceeded their expectations of modular construction.