The St Austell Elective Surgical Hub has officially opened its doors, in what the facility’s constructor, ModuleCo, says ‘marks a significant step forward in providing accessible, high-quality healthcare for residents across Cornwall’.
Delivered in collaboration with the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the new facility – at St Austell Community Hospital, will support the delivery of approximately 5,000 elective day surgery procedures annually, enhancing the hospital’s capabilities, which have traditionally centred on outpatient clinics, minor injury care, diagnostics, and rehabilitation. Now, with two advanced operating theatre suites, dedicated recovery wards, and pre-operative assessment rooms, the hospital ‘is set to play a vital role’ in alleviating pressure on larger acute hospitals in the region, such as Royal Cornwall Hospital and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, ModuleCo says.
The surgical hub was procured through the NHS Shared Business Services Modular Buildings Framework, with ModuleCo providing a complete design and build solution. ModuleCo said: “Using an off-site construction approach, the facility was constructed to 90% completion in a controlled environment, reducing risks, and ensuring consistent quality. This method enabled the project to be completed in just 28 weeks from assembly to handover, with foundation and enabling works carried out simultaneously to streamline the timeline further.”
Designed to be self-sufficient, the hub features air source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and 100 m² of photovoltaic panels integrated into the existing site system. Only power and mains cold water were required as incoming services, highlighting the efficiency of the design.
The grand opening event brought together key stakeholders and healthcare leaders, and received regional media coverage, including by ITV News and the BBC.
Steve Williamson, CEO of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Having two extra operating theatres increases our overall capacity. That is really important as we look to reduce the waiting times for surgeries. That is happening right across the NHS, so we are absolutely thrilled that we are starting work on a new elective operating centre here at St Austell.”
Less than a year ago, the site was still a grassy field. ModuleCo started on site in February 2024, and handed over last August, taking just 28 weeks from the start of off-site construction to completion.
