August 2007

New Healthcare supercentre moves a step closer to completion

The opening of a multi million pound Synergy Healthcare supercentre at Wythenshawe in Manchester moves a step closer this week as formal on site commissioning work begins.

The eight week operational and technical commissioning programme will complete early October and will ultimately benefit thousands of patients from the wider Manchester area.

Kevin Hill, sector manager at Welconstruct, the sterile specialist responsible for the conversion of the 18,000 sq.f. building, confirmed that the £3m fit out and process scheme was on track to complete within the scheduled nine month timescale. Operated by Synergy Healthcare plc, the UK's largest provider of decontamination and sterilisation services for hospitals and PCT's, the service will provide for the collection of surgical instruments from five hospitals to its site in Wythenshawe. The equipment will then be washed, checked, packed, sterilised and delivered back to the hospitals.

The Centre will provide combined decontamination and sterilisation services for three NHS Trusts and one NHS Foundation Trust in the locality - University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Christie Hospital NHS Trust and Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.

Mr Hill added; "Work on the shell of the new centre has now been completed which includes the construction of operational areas, cleanrooms and mezzanine floors. Major plant and process equipment aswellas all the equipment and utilities such as water, electrics and gas have also been installed and we are delighted that pre-commissioning can now begin. This will swiftly be followed by final commissioning and then a timely handover of this state of the art facility over to Synergy in October."