MTX has completed four new operating theatres at the Royal Bolton Hospital using Modern Methods of Construction and modular offsite techniques ‘to ensure faster, greener, safer and more cost-effective delivery’.
The company was initially awarded the contract to deliver two new theatres, but Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’ ambition was always to create four. In December 2022, the Trust was successful in its bid for £19.6 million in funding to significantly increase its theatre capacity by creating all four new theatres and refurbishing existing day-case theatres to create a bespoke day case paediatrics theatre hub. The first two theatres were already well advanced before MTX began building the first floor extension to the initial single storey development – to create the four new theatres with ward accommodation and dedicated plantrooms.
MTX say building on top of the initial construction required ‘a complex and innovative programme’ to ensure no compromise to the integrity of the ground floor, along with careful management of introducing more than 50 additional structural steel modules on top of almost 140 already in place to create the ground floor. The company says making optimum use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) enables it to reduce build times by up to half, while creating high-quality, fully compliant facilities, and reducing waste by up to 60 per cent. For the Royal Bolton Hospital project MTX used offsite-manufactured structural steel units and mechanical and electrical modules assembled on site to streamline delivery of the new facilities.
David Hartley, MTX’s MD, explained: “The latest contract award continues a five-year relationship with the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, and we are proud to be partnering it in its vision for improved patient care. Challenges on site threatened the schedule, but in the spirit of collaboration with the Trust, MTX refused to allow those to significantly impact the project. Our continued collaboration with the Trust is testament to our team’s hard work and expertise, and the effectiveness of MMC and Design for Manufacture and Assembly principles at the core of our business success.”
The new theatres will provide enhanced capacity for both Bolton and Greater Manchester and help to drive down waiting lists. They have been built on the former staff car park near the Princess Anne maternity unit.
Annette Walker, the Trust’s director of Finance, said: “Being able to increase our theatres’ capacity will enable us to provide even better patient experience, and help us tackle the backlog of elective waiting lists throughout Bolton and Greater Manchester.”
The four theatres have been designed to adapt for inpatient and day case adult patients – including ear nose and throat, oral, urology, and general specialities.
