Following a competitive tender, MTX were awarded a multi-million pound scheme to deliver a twin operating theatre and eye clinic to Luton & Dunstable University Hospital.
The Requirements
The Trust had a requirement for additional theatre capacity in order to cater for a larger patient intake. The project formed part of the Trust’s broader construction plans for further development at the hospital.
The Solution
The project was completed over various phases, including demolition and enabling package, temporary eye day surgical unit (EDSU) and the construction of the new twin ultra clean canopy theatre complex.
For the operating theatres MTX worked alongside architectural partners IBI Group and M&E Consulting Engineers DSSR, to design and construct a bespoke facility that provided 2 additional storeys of accommodation, directly adjacent to the existing hospital street. A new connection was also constructed to link the new to existing. This also ensured that the new theatre facility operates in full co-ordination with the adjacent building.
The ground floor of the new facility comprises the twin theatres, scrub, anaesthetic, 24 bed recovery, consulting rooms, changing area and central reception with waiting area. The M&E services included, to name a few, 3no AHU’s providing ventilation to the separate departments, ceiling mounted radiant panels, medical gases, smoke fire dampers, LED lighting, nurse call system and video intercom. The first floor houses the dedicated plant room.
The state-of-the-art bespoke theatre facility features an appealing curtain glazed entrance with timber cladding and has provided the Trust with 1450m² of new accommodation.
Main Considerations
Working in a live hospital environment alongside 3rd party contractors meant that key co-ordination and communication was essential, in order to carry out various works such as logistics, Health & Safety and infrastructure works.
Furthermore, works involved connecting the new theatres into the existing live department via linkway breakthroughs.
Forward planning and consideration were vital between MTX, the Trust and the 3rd party contractors to ensure disruption to the ongoing hospital activities was kept to a minimum.
