Clip-On Theatres

Posted by Adam Flowers / 19 July 2011

CCM recently worked with Hutt Hospital on an innovative scheme to construct a clip-on temporary operating theatre suite while the Hospital built its new theatre complex. This project enabled the client to save cost in rental of external facilities, and provided an asset which could be on-sold at the end of the theatres’ useful life.

Adding to the challenges of designing a complex facility on a very tight timetable, the location for the theatres was one storey up, directly above the ambulance bay for the emergency department which is in operation 24/7. By designing the theatres for pre-fabrication and transportation, the theatre suite can be easily dismantled and transported to another site when the new comlpex is ready. 

The temporary theatres contain two fully equipped operating theatres along with a recovery area, nurse station and equipment stores.  The project was opened by the Minister of Health, Tony Ryall, in August 2009 and has been held up as an excellent example of creative problem solving. The project also received an RMB  Health Project award in 2010.