Swindon’s new community endoscopy unit lifted into place

The new unit, which will sit alongside the town’s community diagnostic centre in West Swindon, is due to open later in the year, and once open will be able to cater for up to 6,000 patients every year.

Having a dedicated endoscopy unit based in the community means more patients will be able to receive diagnostic care that was once only available in large hospitals, such as the Great Western, sooner and closer to home.

Built off-site in Vanguard's factory, the modules were lifted into place over two days, in the heart of the community, without disturbing everyday activities.

At the factory, Vanguard achieves a high Pre-manufactured Value, minimising the amount of work to be done on site.

Sixteen partially-fitted units – that when put together make up the overall structure of the new endoscopy site – have now been lifted into place at the West Swindon Health Centre, meaning patients can now see the building has taken shape.

Using modern methods of construction (MMC), as opposed to building from the ground up with bricks and mortar, reduces disruption on site and allows the installation process to progress at a much quicker pace.

When up and running, the new unit will carry out a range of planned gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures, and will compliment the many other services already being delivered at the West Swindon Health Centre, such as CT and MRI scans.

How, within a few weeks, the centre will look, ready to receive patients.