Industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist, Merit, has announced announce ‘a significant milestone’ in the development of the new NHS Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC) at Seaton Delaval in Northumberland.
Recently, the site welcomed the successful delivery of four air-handling unit PODs, seven header pre-assembled modules (PAMs), and eight lid PAMs, transported from Merit’s ‘smart factory’ in Cramlington. Using a 150-tonne crane, these components were successfully lifted through the roof and secured into place on the first floor.
Merit said: “This achievement marks a crucial step forward in the facility’s construction timeline, as offsite-manufactured components continue to arrive and be integrated into the developing structure.”
The news follows Merit’s announcement in October 2024, when the business was appointed by the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative to design and fit out the multimillion-pound NHS Medicines Manufacturing Centre. The MMC will be located within Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Manufacturing & Innovation Hub in Seaton Delaval.
The new Medicines Manufacturing Centre will produce chemotherapy treatments and injectable medicines to support hospitals across North East and North Cumbria. With an estimated capacity to deliver up to one million dosages of medication each year, it is expected to significantly bolster aseptic services in the area and create approximately 150 new jobs.
Upon completion, the MMC will feature Grade B and Grade C cleanrooms, dedicated production areas, Quality Control (QC) laboratories, and administrative and welfare facilities.
Tony Wells, CEO of Merit, stated: “We are proud to contribute to a project that will not only enhance healthcare delivery in our region, but will also create valuable employment opportunities. As we continue our progress, we remain committed to utilising innovative offsite manufacturing techniques to ensure a timely and efficient completion.”
Damon Kent, MD of Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, said: “We’re thrilled to have reached such a significant milestone in this project. This stage of the project really highlights the advantages of Modern Methods of Construction. These techniques offer exceptional build quality and ensure steady progress regardless of weather conditions. I’m excited to see rapid developments on-site as we move forward.”
