A project to create a new cancer and surgical innovation centre at Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford has reached a key milestone, with delivery and installation of 170 precisely-engineered steel structural units now complete.

The factory-manufactured units from MTX Contracts range in size, from 6m-15m long, and form the fabric of the new three-storey building, which also includes a part-basement to accommodate the sloping site, and part-enclosed roof plant area for air handling units and other equipment.

A total of 56 patient beds, consulting, and examination rooms and recovery areas will be located on the ground and first floor of the new development.

They include a 20-bed second phase recovery area, a 24-bed short-stay ward (12 of which are single occupancy rooms), a 12-bed Post Anaesthetic Care Unit, and ancillary areas.

Six new hybrid operating theatres will also be located on the first floor – two specialist orthopaedic operating rooms equipped with clean air canopies, two designed for laparoscopic procedures with specialist equipment and lighting, and two general operating rooms.

And a first-floor bridge corridor will link the new facility directly to the rest of the hospital.

It will be supported on concrete pillars and has been designed to provide clearance for larger delivery vehicles.

MTX is set to carry out enabling works to provide a new access for the bridge corridor on the first floor of the main hospital.

MTX employs modern methods of construction (MMC) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles to deliver new facilities faster, safer, greener, and more cost effectively than conventional building methods.

These fast-track processes have enabled groundworks to take place on site while the structural steel modules were manufactured offsite for delivery and installation.

The result is a reduction in programme duration and earlier delivery of new facilities that are purpose designed and fully compliant to quickly benefit patients and help to reduce waiting lists.

All floors in the new facility are poured concrete.

Specially designed reinforcing pads on the first-floor areas of the new operating theatres will deliver the response levels required to aid surgeons in their meticulous treatment of patients.

Mechanical and electrical services have also been pre-fabricated for maximum efficiency and quality control – with equipment such as air handling units assembled and factory-tested before being dismantled for delivery. They are then assembled and installed on site and again tested to ensure optimum performance.

MTX pre-construction director, Mike Butler, said: “MTX has a proven track record in supporting NHS trusts in the delivery of vitally-needed new facilities and we are delighted to be partnering with Royal Surrey to create this exciting new cancer and surgical centre.

“Our expertise and resources support our trust partners at every step of the journey, from concept design through to completion and handover. This ensures each facility is fully compliant and a resource that will deliver a rapid return on investment for the trust, as well as enhanced services for patients.”

This £41.5m development will build on Royal Surrey County Hospital’s world-class services in robotic and non-robotic surgery and enable an additional 7,000 patients to receive surgery every year.