Merit

Merit, the UK’s leading industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist based in Northumberland, has been appointed by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust Foundation to design and deliver its new state-of-the-art elective hub (operating theatre block).

The £25m NHS project is a first-of-its-kind for Merit and will include the provision of a two-storey building, encompassing six high-quality theatres supporting services to increase capacity for elective procedures at Solihull Hospital, resulting in an estimated additional 15,000 treatments each year.

Using advanced 4D BIM modelling technology and an innovative product-based approach means that Merit’s specialist team can deliver both on and off site works for this modern facility in parallel, to ensure a faster, more cost-effective project schedule with sustainability in mind.

Offsite construction will allow for the hub’s completion by May 2024, with Merit delivering the project in only 10 months from start on site. This includes concept design and planning and commissioning. Merit will manufacture 81 per cent of the new elective hub offsite at its Cramlington-based manufacturing facility using its FLEXI POD® V5.1 Healthcare platform.

FLEXI POD® is Merit’s hybrid solution, comprising aspects of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) for the shell and core, and a digitally manufactured offsite fit-out facilitated through a POD and Pre-Assembled Module (PAM) strategy, allowing the majority of construction to take place off site, significantly speeding up the process.

Tony Wells, CEO of Merit, said: “At a time when waiting lists are at record highs, we are really proud to be supporting the NHS with this landmark contract which will allow a significant number of people access to the treatment they need.

“This is the first NHS theatre we will be delivering and is another milestone in our own progress and development which has seen Merit disrupt the traditional construction approach. We now have an array of high-profile, technically complex projects which we are delivering more quickly, more efficiently and crucially more sustainably.”

ENDS

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MERIT

Contact: Josh Mason, Recognition PR 01325 363 436

Merit

Merit is the UK’s leading industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist and prides itself on its ability to design and engineer-controlled environment solutions for the healthcare, bioscience, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, aviation and nuclear sectors. Specialising in the delivery of complex cleanroom construction and M&E services that require stringent regulatory approvals.

Headquartered in Northumberland, it employs more than 300 people in the UK and owns further facilities in London and Scotland. For further information visit www.merit.co.uk

Merit Health

Merit Health is the dedicated healthcare and life sciences division of leading industrialised construction and manufacturing specialist, Merit. It delivers high-quality hospitals, laboratories and manufacturing facilities, in half the time, with lower build and maintenance costs. Merit Health’s buildings address the need for improved infection control, adaptability and sustainability by healthcare and life sciences market players, such as hospitals, laboratories, vaccine and advance therapy manufacturers.