Case Study: Temporary Modular Mortuary Facility Supports St Richard's Hospital Redevelopment

Temporary Modular Mortuary Facility Supports St Richard's Hospital Redevelopment
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Maintaining essential healthcare services during major hospital redevelopment presents a significant challenge, particularly where specialist facilities cannot simply be taken out of operation.
When St Richard's Hospital in Chichester required a temporary mortuary facility to support ongoing redevelopment works, Elite Systems was appointed by Morgan Sindall to design, manufacture and install a bespoke modular solution that would allow mortuary services to continue safely and efficiently throughout the programme.

Working closely with the principal contractor, consultants and hospital stakeholders, Elite Systems delivered an approximately 94m² modular mortuary accommodation building together with an approximately 94m² specialist refrigerated body storage facility. Throughout the project, the design evolved to reflect changing operational requirements, demonstrating the flexibility modular construction can offer on complex healthcare projects.

The completed facility was designed to support day-to-day mortuary operations and incorporated a range of specialist spaces, including reception and administration areas, a viewing room, body reception and preparation rooms, a post-mortem room, staff welfare facilities, changing areas and dedicated refrigerated body storage.

Manufacturing the building off-site helped minimise disruption within the live hospital environment by significantly reducing the amount of construction activity required on site. Once complete, the modules were delivered and installed efficiently, allowing the project to progress while supporting the hospital's operational needs.

The project highlights one of the key advantages of modular construction within healthcare environments. As stakeholder requirements developed throughout the programme, the design could be adapted without compromising quality or delaying delivery, providing the flexibility often required on complex hospital projects.

Although originally supplied as a temporary decant facility, the building proved so successful that, following occupation, the Trust chose to purchase and retain it as part of the hospital estate rather than proceed with refurbishment of the original mortuary building.

The principal contractor also praised the outcome of the project, confirming they would be happy to work with Elite Systems again on future healthcare projects and commenting:

"The client was delighted with the outcome."
— Managing Quantity Surveyor, Morgan Sindall

The project demonstrates how modern modular construction can provide high-quality healthcare accommodation that supports essential clinical services during refurbishment and redevelopment programmes. Originally intended as a temporary solution, the facility has become a permanent asset for the Trust, highlighting the long-term value, flexibility and quality that modular buildings can deliver.


View the full case study from Elite Systems GB:
www.elitesystemsgb.co.uk/project/st-richards-hospital-temporary-decant-modular-mortuary-facility