Construction of state-of-the-art pharmacy facility under way in city
The construction of a new state-of-the-art pharmacy and sterile services facility has begun in the city thanks to a partnership between University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and healthcare property specialists Prime plc.
Based at the Adanac Health and Innovation Campus in Southampton, the new multi-use site will enable in-house production of a range of life-saving medicines for patients across the region.
The controlled environment means highly qualified staff will be able to prepare ready-to-administer chemotherapy drugs, as well as intravenous nutrition and antibiotics and medicines for use in pioneering clinical trials at UHS and other healthcare providers.
In addition to the aseptic pharmacy, the location will provide capacity for the sterilisation of medical devices, equipment and instruments, including all surgical tools and equipment used by UHS.
Sterile services will continue to be delivered by the current UHS provider IHSS at the new site.
The build, which is being delivered by construction company Willmott Dixon, is a relocation and expansion of the sterile services department (SSD) from the main hospital site in Tremona Road, freeing up additional space for the delivery of frontline clinical care.
UHS is one of the largest acute teaching trusts in England and experiences high demand on its limited estate.
By working with Prime, through the Southampton Commercial Estates Development Partnership (CEDP), the Trust has been able to overcome a number of estates challenges to create more space.
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 development will be a significant leap forward in our capacity to produce sterile, pre-prepared medicines which 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.”
Ewan Forsyth, development director for Prime, said: “The construction of these facilities will be a major milestone in our partnership with UHS and a big step towards our shared goal of deepening the reputation of Southampton as a centre for medical excellence, preserving clinical space and enriching the local economy.”
Gary Clarke, managing director at IHSS, said: “The new SSD at the Adanac Health and Innovation Campus will bring huge advancements to UHS which will enable the future provision of care in the community.
“The additional capacity will support the inevitable expansion of surgical procedures in the upcoming years and allow clinical health to be delivered in a more efficient and sustainable way.”
The MHRA-licensed pharmacy will be subject to high levels of regulatory control and quality assurance, with sterile medicines manufactured for UHS and other NHS providers in the region.
The build was officially launched at a recent ceremony where representatives from UHS, Prime and Willmott Dixon, including James Allen, David French (CEO) and Peter Baker (commercial director) from UHS, attended and a completed a short tour of the site.