MTX completes new operating theatre at world famous Wrightington Hospital

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 increase the Trust’s ability 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 fit out. The existing bay of recovery beds has been increased from three to five, and is housed in a purpose-built new area,  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 may be carried out  annually within the new facility. Orthopaedics is the largest volume elective specialty in Greater Manchester, so this additional capacity will aid the reduction of NHS waiting lists across the region. Expansion of capacity at Wrightington will also reduce pressure on theatre and bed capacity at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary site at Wigan.

Mary Fleming, WWL 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. This is fantastic news for our patients locally, across Greater Manchester and beyond. 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 in order to cope with increased demand.
 
MTX has also completed fit out of an additional ultra-clean theatre. These works have been carefully coordinated 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 added: “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.”

Wrightington Hospital received Surgical Hub accreditation by the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme in 2023, for meeting top clinical and operational standards. 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 recovery area.

Wrightington Hospital's status as an Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Centre of Excellence originated with the seminal work of Professor Sir John Charnley, who pioneered hip replacement surgery involving the techniques of low-friction arthroplasty and also innovative advances to counter post-operative infection. The first ever total hip replacement operation was performed by Sir John at Wrightington in 1962.

The hospital remains at the forefront of innovation, and Wrightington's reputation for excellence attracts talented Orthopaedic Consultants who specialise in hip and joint surgery, and in the medical disciplines of rheumatology and rehabilitation.