Delivery of an UltraPOD® to the new SDEC Unit, Bedford Hospital.

Northumberland-headquartered Merit, a leading offsite construction specialist, is proud to announce a significant milestone in the construction of the new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit at Bedford Hospital. Appointed by the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Merit has successfully delivered seven major UltraPOD® units that will form the core of this state-of-the-art facility.

On May 20th and 21st, a 450-tonne crane expertly lifted and positioned the seven UltraPODs® on site, marking a substantial advancement in the project’s timeline.

Merit’s proprietary UltraPOD® SFS variant is at the heart of this cutting-edge facility. This customisable, full-building solution harnesses advanced offsite manufacturing techniques, enabling faster and more cost-effective construction. By pioneering an industrialised approach to building, Merit addresses the urgent demand for efficient healthcare delivery while prioritising sustainability.

This project milestone follows Merit’s approval to commence offsite manufacturing at its factory in December 2024, underscoring the team’s dedication to rapid project delivery. Leveraging their expertise, Merit’s team pre-manufactured 85% of the UltraPOD® units, incorporating all mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services. This innovative approach not only accelerates construction timelines but also ensures exceptional quality control at every stage.

Once operational, the new SDEC Unit will encompass consultation rooms, clinical management rooms, examination rooms, assessment areas and other supporting services, to provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services at Bedford Hospital.

Tony Wells, CEO at Merit, commented:

“We are thrilled to reach this crucial project milestone in the delivery of the new SDEC Unit at Bedford Hospital. At Merit, we are proud to be at the forefront of innovative offsite construction solutions that not only meet the urgent needs of healthcare facilities but also prioritise sustainability and efficiency. Reaching this important project milestone is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare environments quickly and effectively.”

Melanie Banks, Director of Redevelopment and Strategic Planning at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The Trust is pleased to be delivering this new facility which will provide critical improvements in both emergency capacity and patient flow through our extremely busy Emergency Department at Bedford Hospital. The true extent of Merit’s offsite manufacturing is beyond what we have seen with other modular manufacturers and has dramatically reduced both the extent and duration of the impact to our operational site from the construction process. We look forward to continuing our ongoing work with Merit on what is a fast-tracked project with limited budget.”

A trusted expert in its field, Merit is currently delivering an array of notable healthcare projects including Berwick’s new community Hospital, York Hospital’s new Hybrid Theatre and MRI Facility and a new Community Diagnostic Hub (CDH) on site at Woking Community Hospital. Merit also recently completed Solihull Hospital’s new Elective Hub (Operating Theatre Block), to improve elective procedures at Solihull Hospital.