£15million surgical unit “90 per cent built”

Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre facility being installed at Montagu Hospital

Much of the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre facility has been installed at Montagu Hospital, but, in a modern twist to traditional building practices, the state-of-the-art theatre unit was not constructed at the site but manufactured using a new approach.

The surgical unit is a collaborative project between Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with the partners saying the modern building method used by ModuleCo ensured “the high-quality production of healthcare facilities to the stage where they are 90 per cent complete before being transported to site.”

Construction is being overseen by a project team which includes colleagues from all three NHS trusts, as well as construction experts IHP Vinci.

What the new unit in Mexborough will look like on completion and opening.

The service will open its doors early next year and will feature two state-of-the-art theatre units, two anaesthetic rooms, a recovery suite, and 12 inpatient beds.

Once it opens, residents from across South Yorkshire waiting orthopaedic ops will have the choice of receiving care and treatment at the MEOC, in addition to their local hospital.

The facility has also received its official name after more than 1,600 local people shared their feedback on two suggested titles.

‘Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence’ won almost 60 per cent of the vote, and will now feature on all official signage as the project nears completion.

Analysis provided by South Yorkshire Integrated Care System found the region’s waiting list has increased by approximately 43 per cent since March 2020.

Currently, more than 2,500 patients have waited more than 52 weeks, with two-thirds needing orthopaedic procedures.

Jon Sargeant, executive director of restoration, innovation and transformation at DBTH and senior responsible officer for the MEOC, said: “It has been incredible to see the project develop at such a rapid pace.

“From initial works to the site’s foundations in late July to a complete unit which you can now walk through is nothing short of phenomenal.”

Once open, the theatre units will help “minimise waiting lists locally and, crucially, ensure people get the care and treatment they need by offering an additional facility,” he added.