Modern methods of construction specialist MTX has completed construction of an advanced new operating theatre at Wrightington Hospital, known around the world for pioneering hip-replacement surgery.

The theatre for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) is designed to reduce waiting lists and further reinforce the hospital’s status as a regional orthopaedic hub.

The theatre is equipped with a laminar flow clean air system which substantially reduces the risk of infection in orthopaedic surgery and speeds patient recovery.

The new theatre was constructed using precisely-engineered, factory-built structural steel units which were delivered to site and craned into position ready for fitout.

The existing bay of recovery beds has been increased from three to five and it is housed in a purpose-built new area while mechanical and engineering equipment serving the new operating theatre facility was pre-manufactured as modules and delivered to site for assembly and installation in a dedicated plant room.

The application of MMC principles, and the use of structural modules pre-manufactured offsite while groundworks are under way, enables MTX to deliver high-quality healthcare facilities faster, safer, greener, and more cost-effectively than traditional building techniques.

Around 1,200 high-volume, low-complexity orthopaedic procedures will be carried out annually within the new facility.

Mary Fleming, trust chief executive, said: “The new development at Wrightington Hospital will enable us to efficiently and safely manage an increased number of day case surgical patients for the foreseeable future.

“By being able to offer mutual aid for patients who have long waits in other organisations, 40% of patient activity will come in from areas across the whole of the North West, helping us to support the drive to tackle waiting times.”

The new suite and adjacent recovery area connects to existing operating theatres developed and delivered by MTX in 2013, to provide additional capacity to cope with increased demand.

MTX has also completed fitout of an additional ultra-clean theatre.

These works have been carefully co-ordinated to minimise the impact on the Phase 1 theatre and recovery, which has been operational during the Phase 2 fit-out.

MTX managing director, David Hartley, said: “We have previously created surgical facilities at Wrightington and are tremendously proud to have been chosen to deliver this new operating theatre that continues the legacy of innovation and excellence which is mirrored by our own advances refining modern methods of construction.”

Funding for the £6.1m build was provided by the NHS England Targeted Investment Funds (TIF) programme and trust capital funds, bringing the total build investment to £9.6m for two new theatres and a recovery area.