A 600m² mixed-modality solution meets North Bristol NHS FT's need for a Day Case Facility

The need:

North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust needed to undertake a refurbishment programme for the operating theatres in the Brunel building of Southmead hospital. In total, twenty-six theatres would be required to close, two theatres at a time, as the refurbishment work was undertaken, requiring detailed planning by the Trust’s management team. Vital to the project, and safeguarding the Trust’s elective recovery strategy, was the building of a facility to replace the lost capacity, without any compromise in the standard of care. Other important considerations included the need to optimise the patient experience and to ensure that the construction of the facility caused minimal disruption to patients and staff of the hospital.

The plan:

The Trust ran a competitive tender for a day-surgery facility. With a proposal that met the need for operating theatres, and effective and comfortable ward facilities for preparation and recovery, Vanguard Healthcare Solutions was selected to work with the Trust.

Important to the success of the project was Vanguard being able to offer a ‘mixed-modality’ facility. Two operationally ready mobile theatres would join seamlessly with a modular building. Incorporating the mobile theatres shortens the lead time and reduces costs, while the modular section provides design flexibility to enable the creation of the optimum patient pathway.

Vanguard would have full responsibility for compliance and for maintaining the facility, providing a Facilitator to liaise with hospital staff before, during and after commissioning, for the length of the contact, ensuring the smooth adoption and on-going operation of the facility.

The solution:

Named Park View, the stand alone day surgery facility provides a superb environment for staff and patients, designed around the optimum patient journey.

The outcome:

The facility opened to patients on 7th April, allowing refurbishments in the main theatre building. Once the refurbishments have been completed, the mobile and modular elements of the facility will be re-used, meeting the needs of a different speciality or another healthcare provider.