Work has started on constructing a new outpatients centre at Stepping Hill Hospital, which will provide state-of-the-art new facilities for patients.

The ambitious construction project is now underway, with contractors MTX working with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s capital project team to create a 55-room new facility, with the aim to have it open for patients in the summer of 2025.

The new building will be modern and efficient, where patients, their families and carers can expect to receive high quality care.

The modular units making up the building were pre-built off-site at a facility in Hull before being transported to site and lifted into place in their new location.  A very large 450 tonne crane is being used to put each of the 72 separate units in place. 

The crane used in putting the modular units in place was so high the contractors and project team had to liaise with Manchester Airport Group to ensure there were no interference with the flight path.

The project is using the latest modern methods of construction, which supports the trust’s long term sustainability plans, and has been shown to produce up to 45% less carbon emissions when compared to more traditional building solutions.  Using modules also means using lighter weight materials, which in turn contributes to a reduction in transport requirements - allowing for more materials to be delivered at once, and supporting the trust’s objective to reduce carbon emissions.

The new building is in the northern part of the hospital site, opposite the occupational health building. Its footprint is mainly over where previous hospital wards were based, which were demolished several years ago.

It will replace the hospital’s old ‘Outpatients B’ building, which was closed in November 2023. The old building was found to have outlived its viable use and has also since been demolished. MTX are now currently occupying the former Outpatients B site while they progress through the construction phase, so that much needed car parking spaces can be released back to the hospital site.

Since the closure of the Outpatients B building, the services previously based in there have been provided from a variety of temporary settings. The new building will allow the trust to reunite these services back on site at Stepping Hill Hospital in one purpose-built centre, which is set to have the latest state-of-the-art features in place.

The scheme is expected to cost £24.3m and comprises two floors of clinical space. The external and internal finishes have been selected to provide a much-needed uplift to the estate as well as providing a positive and calming environment for patients and staff alike.

Karen James OBE, Chief Executive for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “It is very satisfying to see the construction of our new outpatients building fully underway, and I would like to thank our capital estates team and our contractor partners MTX for their hard work on this. The logistical difficulties in transporting the many large modules which make up this building are immense, and they have done an excellent job. We are very much looking forward to having our outpatients services being provided from this new and greatly improved building.”