Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed a new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit at Bedford Hospital, designed to expand and improve access to urgent care for the local community.
The Trust appointed UK-based construction and digital manufacturing specialist Merit, to design and deliver the facility. The new SDEC unit will offer a wide range of emergency healthcare services specifically designed to address the needs of the local community.
Manufacturing of the unit’s offsite components began in January at Merit’s smart factory in Cramlington. By using a product-based approach that allowed offsite and onsite works to run in parallel, Merit completed the modern healthcare facility in just eight months.
The new SDEC Unit is dedicated to enhancing patient comfort and optimising the delivery of care, with the goal of reducing waiting times and improving access to immediate medical attention. Its design was developed in close collaboration with clinicians and healthcare professionals to ensure the highest standards of care.
Tony Wells, CEO of Merit said: “The successful completion of the Bedford SDEC Unit in just eight months showcases the success of our innovative UltraPOD SFS solution.
“This customisable solution enables the rapid delivery of high-quality, sustainable healthcare facilities, meeting the urgent demands of modern healthcare. It’s a clear demonstration of our commitment to accelerating construction timelines without compromising on excellence or environmental responsibility.”
Melanie Banks, director of Redevelopment and Strategic Planning at Bedfordshire Hospitals said: “It’s been incredible to see how this project has developed over the past eight months and the how this brand new unit has come to life.
