£4.1 million project to design and build a modular building extension to house an operating theatre complex and pre-assessment facility at Leicester General Hospital.
The new extension, which comprises of four state of the art operating theatres, recovery area and ancillary accommodation, was built using the latest in modular building methods and links into the hospital building at first floor level. As part of the contract, MTX were also contracted to refurbish the old Sterile Services Department to create a new theatre reception area, storage rooms and staff changing accommodation.
The new modular theatre complex is situated on a steep natural slope with the new extension linking into the hospital building via 3 link ways at the 1st floor level. During the design phase of the project MTX proposed that, in order to achieve the required first floor level and to make the best use of the space created at ground floor level, additional building modules should be dropped in place to support the new extension and then fitted out to provide the trust with approximately 300m² of additional accommodation for offices and seminar areas.
This additional accommodation was a huge added benefit to the Trust as it required minimal additional excavation works and negligible costs for the extra building modules, but provided them with an excellent return on investment on something that would have otherwise been a ‘dead’ space. The new operating theatres are highly specified with the latest in theatre design and high care technology. To meet the floor response requirements set out under HTM 03-01, cast in-situ concrete slabs were used in a metal floor deck in the theatre areas. This flooring system, which complies with British Standard BS 6472 on resistance to vibration in buildings, delivers a response factor of less than 1.
The newly installed operating theatres have an open plan and naturally bright feel to them as they feature large viewing windows, containing x-ray protected glass, between each theatre. Other features of the theatre complex include automatic sliding doors to ensure the best use of space and easy access for users, non-touch IPS sanitary wear to ensure the highest levels of cleanliness, a Starkstrom touch screen surgeons panel and Trumpf LED surgical lamps.
Pre-Assessment – Requirement
Whilst this project was taking place, MTX were also contracted to carry out works in a different part of the hospital to install a new modular Orthopaedic Pre-Assessment Unit to house 8 additional consulting rooms. This new modular building links into the hospital via the original pre-assessment building which was also renovated as part of the project to house a new pre-assessment waiting area.
Internal Finish
A calming colour scheme has been used throughout the newly modernised theatre which is reflected in the new fitted furniture, doors and the vinyl floors, walls and ceilings. In order to allow for easy maintenance and cleaning, the vinyl floors, walls and ceilings feature coved corners, which is becoming increasingly common with modern day operating theatres.
Despite all of the challenges with this project and the exceptionally tight programme, MTX completed the project at the beginning of September 2010 on time and within budget. The client and end users are delighted with the overall appearance of the theatre and are very pleased with the state of the art equipment their new theatre now offers them.
Client Feedback
The installation of the new theatre complex and pre-assessment unit, used for patients needing orthopaedic operations, provides a large amount of extra capacity for Leicester General hospital which means they will no longer have to send about 600 patients a year to private hospitals for operations.
Talking about the new Theatre complex Mr Andrew Brown, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon said that the “Staff using the new theatres have been very positive about them.”
Elaine Ryan, divisional head of nursing for the clinical support division, said “We are sure that patients will be impressed when they see the theatres.”