Willmott Dixon, a UK-based construction company, is in the final phase of constructing two advanced specialist facilities for the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).
Developed in partnership with Prime, a UK-based healthcare property company, these facilities are part of a larger super centre facility at the Adanac Health and Innovation Campus in Southampton.
The project includes an aseptic sharmacy and a sterile services department (SSD), with additional flexible expansion space.
The aseptic pharmacy will function as an MHRA-licensed unit, manufacturing sterile medicines for UHS and other NHS providers in the region.
The project includes an aseptic pharmacy and a sterile services department, with additional flexible expansion space
The SSD will be responsible for sterilising surgical tools and equipment for UHS, with services provided by IHSS at the new location.
This development aims to alleviate space constraints at UHS's main site, enhancing its capacity to deliver frontline clinical care.
The facilities are expected to open in early 2025.
James Allen, Chief Pharmacist at UHS, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Wilmott Dixon and Prime in the construction of our new pharmacy aseptic production facility. This state-of-the-art facility will be a significant leap forward in our capacity to produce sterile, pre-prepared medicines. Sterile aseptically prepared injectable products are vital in the care of patients in areas such as surgery, intensive care, and cancer services. As an MHRA-licensed unit, the facility will utilise advances in automation to produce products at scale, enhancing the capacity of patient pathways in UHS and NHS Trusts in Hampshire and neighbouring healthcare systems.”
Progress so far
Since December 2024, the following has been completed:
- Façade cladding installation is substantially complete to all elevations.
- Aseptic floor, wall and ceiling finishes are complete to clean rooms and finishes are being completed in the access corridors and associated spaces.
- M&E third fix installation ongoing in the cleanrooms.
- Ground floor external walls are closed up and stair core finishes are ongoing.
- Core and Aseptic M&E installations are progressing well, commissioning has commenced.
- The rear yard works are ongoing.
- Retaining walls for bin store ramps and stairs have been completed and loading bay platforms are being formed.
- In the aseptic pharmacy the pass-through cabinets have been installed - which will allow the safe transfer of pharmaceutical products - and internal glass vision panels are being installed.
Prime stated that in the coming months, the final decorations and floor finishes are anticipated to be completed in all the communal areas, followed by fixtures and fittings.
Operated by IHSS (Decontamination & Sterile Service Solutions), the Trust and UHS Estates Limited (UEL), the purpose-built, state-of-the-art development will function as a ‘super centre facility’, sterilising surgical tools and equipment for UHS and the wider health community.
Richard Poulter, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon in the South, said: “We are delighted to be working with Prime again following our successful collaboration at Dorset Country Hospital. We’ll now take the learning from there to this project for UHS with a team that provides continuity in what we can deliver alongside Prime for the healthcare community. We’ll also be looking to work with local companies where possible to sustain jobs and help the local economy benefit from this important investment on the South Coast.”