MTX using modern methods of construction to build Urgent Treatment Centre at Cumberland Infirmary

MTX Contracts Ltd has begun work on the construction of a new £12m Urgent Treatment  Centre at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle aimed at reducing pressure on the Accident and Emergency Department .

The new single storey facility next to the existing A&E department will provide 12 consultation rooms, along with staff/patient ancillary space, waiting area and roof top plantroom.  It will be built by MTX using modern methods of construction to deliver the project faster, greener, safer and more cost effectively that conventional building methods.  

Structural steel modules and service modules will be created offsite while work continues onsite to prepare for their delivery, shortening the overall project delivery time.

MTX Managing Director David Hartley said: 

“Our team is liaising closely with the adjacent departments to maintain ambulance and patient access to A&E at all times.  We have extensive experience maintaining critical services during construction projects on hospital sites, and take special care to ensure minimum disruption to medical services, and reduce inconvenience for patients and staff.”

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) said the new UTC is part of a longer term plan to improve access to urgent care services in Carlisle easing emergency department pressures.

The current Emergency Department was built with capacity for 30,000 attendances each year.  Last year it had 78,300 attendances - more than two and half times its original capacity.

Dr Mike Rickards, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust: 

"Opening the UTC will help ensure patients are seen in the right place at the right time by the correct clinician. The centre will also provide great support to the main Emergency Department by freeing up capacity for patients who are acutely unwell.

 “We know our patients want as smooth a journey as possible when receiving treatment and urgent care services help ensure this is the case.

 “The centres will also help keep our emergency care departments free for what they are there for – emergencies.”

Cumbria Health, which provides out of hours GP services will also be located in the UTC.