New Modular Ophthalmology Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Park Eye Theatre

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust continues partnership with leading modular healthcare specialist ModuleCo with the development of a new state-of-the-art, modular Ophthalmology Centre.

ModuleCo are just weeks from installing a state-of-the-art Ophthalmic Operating Theatre Suite for the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust providing improved ophthalmology services for patients at their Musgrove Park Hospital site. 

The new modular facility will be one part of a standalone Ophthalmology Theatre Suite with dedicated ophthalmic operating theatres and linking to the rear of the existing Day Surgery Centre. The eye unit is the Hospital’s busiest department, carrying out over 2,000 operations every year and providing nearly 50,000 outpatient appointments.

This development provides the Trust with additional operating space, recovery space and dedicated patient areas allowing them to feel more comfortable when receiving care. Patients will be able to access the centre directly from the car park, without the need to pass through the main hospital. The Trust hope that the additional capacity and forming of a dedicated Ophthalmology Centre will help reduce waiting times for routine treatment.

Mr Pradeep Madhavan, orthopaedic consultant at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This new unit will be a modern facility that will allow ophthalmic patients to continue with their surgical treatment safely and in time without being unduly affected by conditions in the rest of the hospital and community.

“The project is moving at pace and is a tribute to the team spirit within the department of ophthalmology and expertise and leadership in various parts of our NHS trust.”

A bespoke design has been developed, consisting of multiple modules of varying sizes to maximise the available site space, making up a 484m2 footprint. The facility will be the first part of a specialist Ophthalmic Theatre with ceiling mounted microscope and laser equipment.  This is supported by an integral scrub, lay-up prep, anaesthetic room, dirty utility, 15-patient day ward, consultation rooms, and various ancillary and staff areas.

ModuleCo’s team are now in the midst of the factory assembly phase, and by completing 80% of the construction and fit-out in the factory this minimises the disruption to the hospital estate.  In just a matter of weeks this cutting-edge facility will be being installed on site.

Sales and Marketing Director for ModuleCo and project sponsor, Jonathan Brindley, said: “All of us at ModuleCo take great pride in our continued partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and supporting them to deliver specialised care to their communities. This will be our 4th facility delivered to Musgrove Park and our project team has welcomed the opportunity to work the Hospital’s brilliant team once again. This theatre marks the 108th Operating Theatre that we have installed in the UK, a number that is a testament to the world-class quality of our facilities and the expertise of our designers, project managers and contractors.”