A modular operating theatre unit has been delivered in just 20 weeks, helping the Isle of Wight NHS Trust to address a backlog in ophthalmic surgery.

The bespoke facility at St Mary’s Hospital, was designed and constructed by ModuleCo Healthcare (MCH) and will enable the hospital to treat up to 18 more patients a day – a 40% increase on current activity.

The additional capacity will also reduce the number of patient referrals to NHS trusts off the island.

Most of the work on the unit was completed offsite, including the design, manufacture, and pre-install quality checks, before the six individual modules were shipped to the island.

The facility includes an ophthalmic theatre and two large separate male and female recovery suites.

This project goes a long way in delivering social value for Isle of Wight residents, retaining core services on the island and allowing St Mary’s Hospital to increase its ophthalmic surgical capacity

And the provision of the facility was made possible by the trust agreeing to a five-year hire agreement, reducing the need for the trust to find upfront capital for the project.

Alan Wilson, managing director at MCH, said: “We’re delighted with the outcome of this project for Isle of Wight NHS Trust and are proud to be supporting St Mary’s Hospital by providing additional ophthalmic capacity on the island.

“This project goes a long way in delivering social value for Isle of Wight residents, retaining core services on the island and allowing St Mary’s Hospital to increase its ophthalmic surgical capacity.”

He added: “Working alongside our manufacturing partner, ModuleCo, we were able to successfully deliver this project in just 20 weeks from order to handover – a significantly-quicker time than a traditional build.

“It’s a great example of the value NHS trusts can unlock by choosing true offsite construction, together with the flexible rental agreements, allowing solutions that are financially viable and delivered quickly without any compromise on quality and patient care.”