Professor Martin Elliott visits Darwin Group factory to tour Ultraclean Twin Operating Theatre modular building

Darwin Group was delighted to welcome Professor Martin Elliott, renowned paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and healthcare leader, to our factory for an exclusive tour of our latest off-site, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) innovation: the On-Demand® Ultraclean Twin Operating Theatre, constructed almost entirely off‑site.

“When I walked into it, it felt like coming home”

Pioneering healthcare infrastructure

At Darwin Group, we believe the future of healthcare lies in precision‑engineered, modular solutions that combine clinical excellence, speed, cost-efficiencies and sustainability. The twin operating theatre project represents a significant step forward in delivering transformational surgical environments with ultraclean technology, designed to meet the most stringent infection control standards.

“It was quiet, it was solid, lots of light, and everything was in the right place. From a surgeon's point of view, that's kind of the security you need, because I looked around in more detail and everything that I could imagine I needed was also there.”

Off‑Site modular excellence

Professor Elliott was able to see first-hand how our off‑site construction methods ensure:

• Reduced disruption to hospital sites by manufacturing complete modules in our factory.
• Accelerated delivery timelines, enabling hospitals to expand capacity quickly.
• Consistent quality through controlled factory conditions and rigorous testing.
• Improved cost-efficiencies from standardised yet high quality designs.
• Sustainability benefits, with reduced waste and improved energy efficiency.

“Why would you want to build on-site something that could be built effectively somewhere else and delivered quickly onto a base? That just sounds so simple.”

Clinical insight meets engineering innovation

During the visit, Professor Elliott engaged with our architect, exploring how the twin operating theatre design integrates seamlessly into existing hospital estates while providing:

• Ultraclean air systems that safeguard patients and staff.
• Flexible layouts to accommodate diverse surgical specialties.
• Future‑proof infrastructure that can adapt to evolving healthcare needs.

His perspective as a clinician underscored the importance of aligning medical expertise with construction innovation, ensuring that every detail of the environment supports optimal patient outcomes.

“It could help the immediate and long-term needs because, there's never been enough money in the NHS right from the beginning to do everything that people wanted. So, everything's a bit of a compromise. But here you're not compromising on function.”

A shared vision for healthcare

Professor Elliott’s visit reflects a shared commitment to transforming healthcare delivery through innovation. At Darwin Group, we are proud to collaborate with leading clinicians to ensure our buildings are not only technically advanced but also designed around the needs of patients and staff.

This factory tour was more than a showcase of engineering; it was a demonstration of how the Darwin Group modular approach is rethinking healthcare construction. By combining clinical insight, cutting‑edge technology, and sustainable off‑site methods, we are building the future of healthcare, one module at a time.

“I'm really impressed by what you've achieved.”