Newmarket Community Diagnostic Centre

The Newmarket Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) represents a significant advancement in local healthcare infrastructure, aiming to enhance diagnostic services for residents in the Suffolk region.

Key Stats

Part of an initiative to roll out new CDC buildings across the UK
Procured through the Procure 23 (P23) framework
46/45 CCS visit, +1 innovation point
On budget
Local spend within 30 miles - £4.4m
237T of carbon saved in the 10T challenge
48 volunteering hours donated

At a Glance

Client

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Budget

£7.7m

Completion

December 2024

Location

Newmarket, Suffolk

Framework

P23 Framework

Sector

Health, Acute Care

Social value

£4.8m

All about the new Centre

Spanning over 1,000 square meters, the Newmarket CDC project was designed to provide patients with quicker access to a wide array of diagnostic tests, including MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, lung function, and cardiology services. The main objective of the new facility – and broadly CDC’s - is to reduce waiting times in the hospitals and streamline the process from referral to diagnosis and subsequent treatment, if required.

A Vision for Better Healthcare

The project was delivered under the Procure 23 (P23) framework, which focuses on modernising NHS infrastructure. As part of the frameworks criteria, it was fundamental to incorporate Modern Methods of Construction in the project. The CDC was subsequently built using modern build techniques, including offsite manufacturing such as precast concrete and a prefabricated steel frame with SFS infills. The traditional approach, blended with modern methods of construction, was the most effective and efficient build solution for the project.

A significant aspect of the project involved collaboration with specialist contractors. We needed to ensure that our design met the specific requirements for their machinery. For instance, in the MRI and CT room, we had to ensure that the rebar and slab were positioned at a depth of approximately 250mm below the finished surface. This was crucial to prevent the magnets in their machines from interfering with the rebar and attempting to extract it from the slab. The MRI, CT, and X-ray rooms were all constructed by a specialist contractor appointed by the client.

Check out our 'Intelligent Solutions' for a bespoke facility in the Turtl doc below

Click to read

Ground Remediation: Vibro Stone Columns

The project commenced on a gently sloping site, featuring a mix of natural and made ground. To ensure a stable foundation while maintaining the planned strip foundation design, a strategic ground remediation approach was adopted. The implementation of vibro stone columns, a ground improvement technique involving the insertion of crushed stone pillars, significantly enhanced soil conditions for construction.

This method not only improved ground stability but also contributed to substantial carbon savings. By reducing the depth of the concrete foundations from 1800mm to 800mm, approximately 110 tonnes of carbon emissions were mitigated. The integration of vibro stone columns exemplifies a commitment to both structural integrity and sustainable construction practices.

Innovation and Sustainable Construction

A core focus of the project was environmental sustainability. Several sustainable building features were incorporated to align with West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT's) environmental goals, which included:

Renewable Energy: The installation of 123 photovoltaic (PV) panels is projected to generate at least 46% of the CDC's energy requirements, surpassing initial targets by 36%.
Efficient Heating and Cooling: The facility utilises Air Source Heat Pumps for heating and hot water. Additionally, constant air volume (CAV) systems and heat recovery units are implemented to maintain efficient temperature control.
Over 237.9T of Co2e was saved throughout the duration of the project, including the incorporation of GGBC in the concrete mixes for the foundation, slabs and walls.

The use of off-site manufacturing and careful material selection contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions during construction. These methods align with the NHS's commitment to achieving net-zero targets by 2040.

Economic and Social Value

The project not only addresses the key healthcare needs but also boosts the local economy through volunteering opportunities and the use of local resources. The project team donated over 48 volunteering hours, ranging from supporting charities to helping unemployed people back into work. This included supporting our subcontractor partner’s Ceetech on the build of a new outdoor learning shelter for local nursery ‘Little Buds Preschool’; the team also donated £1307 worth of materials to the project.

Overall, £4.8m was generated in social value, with £4.4m spent specifically within a 30-mile radius.

Everyone loves the building – the flow of the interior, the graphics, and the attention to detail across the site has been really good. The staff and patients love the facility. Everyone who now works in the CDC doesn’t want to work anywhere else! We’ve had great feedback from patients; they love the facility, which is a real bonus. From a clinical point of view, we’re extremely happy were able to offer these monthly scans back to NHS England. The new facility means we’re able to do around 100,000 scans extra a year in this new facility and they’re on target to achieve that. The building’s great, it looks fantastic and everyone’s got good feedback about it.”

Matthew Clarke, Senior Project Manager, Estate and Facilities, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust