In June 2017 MTX were successfully awarded the contract to provide a fast-track modular Endoscopic Decontamination Unit at Colchester General Hospital in Essex.
The Requirements
Colchester General Hospital had scope to schedule necessary refurbishment works to their current Endoscopy Department, in order to maintain their high level of order and cleanliness. Amongst the works it was identified that a new Endoscopic Decontamination Facility was required for the staff that would be using the department.
The Solution
Working in combination with our Design Team, MTX designed and produced a bespoke external modular building positioned on structured pads with piers, to house the new Endoscopic Decontamination Unit. Together with the Trust’s team, MTX decided on an external single storey solution due to the nature of works that would take place within the building. As this would be an ultra-clean facility, the risk of cross contamination and infection would need to be eradicated. Therefore by creating a standalone building, the amount of footfall that would pass through would be low as only endoscopic staff would be entering the building via a separate entrance.
The new facility includes segregated dirty and clean areas. Staff will enter the dirty room first and remove all clothing and shoes. They then step over the barrier into the clean side to get gowned up. In addition, the new unit consists of state of the art equipment, separate clean and dirty corridors, gown rooms, cleaner’s room and decontamination rooms. The decontamination rooms are provided with 5no Cantel Rapid AER Washer Units, served by Lubron R.O Plant.
The new building was constructed using 3 modules and provided Colchester General Hospital with 129m² gross internal area. A dedicated AHU for ventilation systems was provided to manage air distribution. The Trust chose the internal design and colour scheme after seeing professional photos of a previous Endoscopy Department MTX delivered to another hospital. They were extremely impressed with the clean, modern vibe and wanted to continue the theme within their own department.
Main Considerations
To fit in line with the hospital’s other ongoing refurbishment works, the Trust required an extremely quick turnaround on this project. Therefore MTX fast-tracked the works in order to ensure the new facility would be operational on time to meet the current demands.
MTX established the site in Mid-July and commenced with the groundworks. The modular units were installed on 7th August 2017 and the project was handed over to the Trust in October 2017, successfully keeping within the strict timeframe.
What they said
“MTX have delivered a building fit for purpose, on time, to budget and to the quality we would expect. MTX have been great partners throughout the whole process and very open with their accounting procedures regarding changes incorporated during the build. The onsite team and Site Manager have kept the hospital very close during construction with advance notice given of any disruptive works. A good all round performance and would have no hesitation in recommending MTX for such projects in the future.”
John Fulcher
Head of Capital Projects for Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust
