A new urology outpatients department is being constructed at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading by MTX Contracts, employing modern methods of construction (MMC) to increase speed of delivery and reduce costs.

The unit will be used by the urology, durgical, and outpatient teams and is funded by the NHS Capital for Targeted Investment in Elective Recovery fund, created to reduce the backlog of elective procedures.

A total of 44 factory-manufactured structural steel units have arrived on site and have been craned into position to create the 1,400sq m facility which is due for completion later this year.

The department is designed to enhance urological care, with a wide range of specialised areas, including six consult/exam rooms, an ultrasound scanner room, and a large treatment room.

The building also has dedicated spaces for essential equipment and services such as a treatment/chemo room, lithotripter room, and a flexi lab.

Supporting staff and patient flow, the layout for the facility also includes offices, a staff rest room, locker/changing room, and reception and waiting areas.

And a dedicated plant room on the first floor will house air handling units and other mechanical and electrical service elements that have been manufactured offsite as modules in line with the Government’s Design for Manufacture and Assembly protocols.

Steve McManus, chief executive of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re really excited to begin work on the development of this unit.

“Not only will it provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities for staff and patients, but it will enable us to perform more surgical procedures and support patients being seen more quickly.

“It is part of the ongoing investment we are making into services at the trust to ensure our local community can access high-quality and safe care as quickly as possible.”