The first of a series of new community diagnostic hubs has opened in Taunton.

The Rutherford Diagnostic Centre Somerset was developed in response to recommendations made in an independent review, recommending such facilities be created in free-standing, accessible locations to provide quicker and easier access for patients.

Phase 1 of the new facility provides two MRI rooms, two CT scan rooms, and an ultrasound unit, equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and cannulation rooms, plus consulting rooms and a reception.

It has been delivered by Kier, with Totus Engineering as building services contractor, fulfilling the brief developed by consultants, Steven A Hunt, and using ventilation grilles and diffusers from Gilberts Blackpool.

Occupying the entire ground floor of the building, the centre, run by Rutherford Diagnostics in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, utilises mechanical ventilation as the most-efficient means of adequately supplying and extracting air throughout the diverse spaces.

A clean path

It is critical that fixtures and fittings do not interfere with the highly-sensitive equipment in use in the MRI rooms and magnetic forces generated while the ventilation provides a clean airflow path.

So, throughout the MRI Scan suite areas, a combination of Gilberts’ DGA4 louvred face diffusers and GECA egg-crate grilles, specifically manufactured in non-ferrous material, and plastic PX extract valves have been used to provide compliant quality and volume of air in line with latest NHS guidance, HTM03-01.

In non-treatment areas and other clinical spaces, mild steel versions of the DGA4 and GECA units supply fresh, filtered air which is extracted via Gilberts’ PG-R perforated face diffusers.

And, in the main reception, Gilberts’ JSL jumbo slot diffusers in runs of up to 12m have been installed, blending seamlessly into architectural design of feature ceilings with their ‘shadowgap’ aesthetics, while delivering an ultra-high capacity of supply and extract airflow with strategically-positioned plenum boxes along the lengths.

Dave Norcross, Steven A Hunt projects manager, said: “Our brief was to come up with a functional, effective design that complied with guidance for diagnostic facilities and HTM 03-01.

A step forward

“We needed to ensure a good working environment for equipment and staff and we needed to deliver a clean, draught-free environment for patients that made a positive contribution towards minimising risk of infection by ‘scouring’ the space and being efficiently extracted.

“Gilberts worked with us to design and deliver, even when we required non-standard and/or specialised options.

“Its heritage within healthcare environment proves its ability to produce components that can meet the stringent demands of airflow and extraction in sensitive locations.

“As a result, we were confident we would have the support to complete the project on time and on budget.”

Mike Moran, chief executive of Rutherford Health, added: “The importance of early diagnosis cannot be overstated.

“This centre is a major step forward in addressing the rising diagnostic demand and managing the growing backlog caused by the pandemic.

“And it is critical that every element of the building, including the ventilation, contributes towards patients get the best treatment, as quickly as possible, to achieve an efficient pathway to better health.”