Merit delivers SDEC unit for Bedford Hospital

An off-site construction firm has completed a new hospital unit in just eight months.

Cramlington-based Merit, a specialist in industrialised construction and digital manufacturing, has completed Bedford Hospital’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit. 

The “state-of-the-art facility” is designed to improve patient comfort, reduce wait times and enhance immediate medical access for the local community.

Merit manufactured the building’s offsite components at its Cramlington smart factory in Northumberland, enabling offsite and onsite works to run concurrently. 

The project was delivered using Merit’s UltraPOD® SFS variant, a flexible full-building solution that can be customised for different healthcare environments.

Tony Wells, chief executive of Merit, said: “The successful completion of the Bedford SDEC Unit in just eight months showcases the success of our innovative UltraPOD® SFS solution.

“This customisable solution enables the rapid delivery of high-quality, sustainable healthcare facilities, meeting the urgent demands of modern healthcare. 

“It’s a clear demonstration of our commitment to accelerating construction timelines without compromising on excellence or environmental responsibility.”

Melanie Banks, director of redevelopment and strategic planning at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “It’s been incredible to see how this project has developed over the past eight months and the how this brand new unit has come to life. 

“I’d like to thank Merit for their work in creating a modern facility for our staff to provide outstanding care to patients in. 

“We also know this will make a huge difference to patient outcomes and experience.”

The SDEC Unit is part of Merit’s growing portfolio of healthcare projects, which includes Berwick’s new Community Hospital, York Hospital’s new MRI and hybrid theatre, as well as a new Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC) at Seaton Delaval. 

Merit also recently completed a therapy-led rehabilitation unit on site at Norwich Community Hospital, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver innovative, rapid-build healthcare solutions tailored to clinical needs.

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