WORK has begun to create a state-of-the-art elective operating hub at Solihull Hospital.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust Foundation, which oversees the running of the Lode Lane Hospital, will include the provision of a two-storey building, encompassing six high-quality theatres and supporting services.
It will include six operating theatres – three of which will replace ones already on site and there will be three additional new theatres.
Half of the theatres will be equipped with laminar flow capabiities – which involves ultraclean ventilation – and the rest will be general theatres future-proofed for robotic capabilities.
The £25m project, which has been design and is being built by construction and digital manufacturing company Merit, will increase the capacity for elective procedures by an estimated additional 15,000 treatments each year.
Tony Wells, chief executive at Merit, said: “At a time when waiting lists are at record highs, we are really proud to be supporting the NHS with this landmark contract which will allow a significant number of people access to the treatment they need.
“This is the first NHS theatre we will be delivering and is another milestone in our own progress and development which has seen Merit disrupt the traditional construction approach.”
It is estimated the hub will be completed by May 2024 and patients will be welcomed shortly after.
