Module Interiors for our client ModuleCo have provided a state-of-the-art modular maternity operating theatre suite at Tameside General Hospital, working in partnership with ModuleCo and the Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. The new building provides a 63 m² operating room with an integrated three-person scrub area, a lay-up prep room, a dirty utility room, and a first-stage recovery area, along with dedicated male and female staff changing facilities and a theatre store – all the key elements needed for a self-contained surgical suite.
Expanding Capacity for Maternity Care
This additional theatre was commissioned to expand the hospital’s maternity service capacity and improve overall surgical efficiency. By handling more planned (elective) and emergency obstetric procedures within the maternity unit itself, the Trust can free up the main hospital theatres for other surgeries, improving elective surgery access and reducing wait times. In fact, the maternity department will now have two fully equipped maternity theatres, a change expected to greatly enhance capacity and reduce pressure on other departments across the hospital. The design also adds much-needed support spaces (recovery bays, storage and staff preparation areas) to improve workflow and patient care.
Fast-Track Modular Construction
The two-storey modular building was manufactured off-site in ModuleCo’s factory and then installed on the hospital campus, minimising on-site disruption. It is positioned adjacent to the existing Maternity Unit on Hartshead Close (previously a car park area) and linked to the main hospital via a corridor, allowing staff and patients to move seamlessly between the new suite and the existing department. Clinical facilities, including the operating theatre and support rooms, occupy the main floor of the module, while a second-storey plant room houses the essential mechanical and electrical equipment.
The new theatre suite is designed to the latest NHS healthcare design standards (HTM/HBN) and is equipped with the latest medical infrastructure to meet stringent clinical requirements. The Trust has called the project a “sustainable solution” to improve local maternity services , noting that these modern facilities will improve staff experience and ultimately benefit patient care in the unit. By investing in a cutting-edge modular solution, the hospital gains a premium-quality surgical environment for its maternity team and patients, without the lengthy construction times of a traditional build. The successful delivery of this project demonstrates how maximising the use of off-site construction can help the NHS quickly expand capacity and enhance care for the community.
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State-of-the-art modular maternity operating theatre suite at Tameside General Hospital, for the Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
