In April 2021, a significant water leak occurred on the east wing of Doncaster Royal Infirmary, causing significant damage the electrical infrastructure and therefore forcing the relocation of some paediatric and maternity services. Extensive repair works continue within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Working with ModuleCo and Integrated Health Partnerships (IHP), the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust took the decision to increase the hospital’s Operating Theatre and Ward capacity.
ModuleCo manufactured a UCV Operating Theatre and three bed Recovery facility, including a 208m2 Operating Theatre and Recovery Suite, and a total of twenty-four beds in a Children’s Ward and Observational Unit with dedicated treatment and assessment rooms.
On Friday 10th December, the state-of-the-art healthcare facility was officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Speaking about the expansion, Richard Parker OBE: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to open these new facilities – and share my deepest thanks with those colleagues and partners who managed this project so adeptly and to such a tight schedule. Since the water leak occurred earlier this year, we have had to make space within the hospital for some of our displaced services, such as paediatrics, which, given the activity driven by COVID-19, has made things challenging. With this new block we will be able to transition services back within the footprint of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, co-locating expertise once again, ensuring we have the relevant specialities and their staff all in one place.
“Crucially, this area is built to last and will help to increase our overall bed capacity throughout the challenging winter months, and, once our paediatric services are moved back to their original wards once repairs are complete in the main Women’s and Children’s Hospital block, this extension will be used for other inpatient services, while the theatre accommodation is one of the finest, if not the best, suite within the Trust, and will benefit patients for years to come.“
Dr Kirsty Edmondson Jones, Strategic Director of Estates and Facilities at DBTH, said: “This project has been a huge undertaking and the speed at which it has been achieved, from our initial conversations to seeing this facility constructed and operational, has been nothing short of breath taking.
“I want to share my thanks with our partners at ModuleCo, as well as those at Integrated Health Projects and VINCI Construction as well as members of the Estates and Facilities team within the Trust. Working closely with colleagues within my team, everyone involved in this project has pulled out all the stops and their dedication and endless can-do attitude will undoubtedly have a hugely positive effect on our patients this winter, and well into the future – thank you all once again.”