Virtus Healthcare project management has successfully delivered the new £3.5m Dermatology Unit on behalf of the Heart of England Foundation Trust (HEFT) at its Solihull Hospital site in Solihull, Birmingham.
The Virtus Healthcare team provided the expertise and specialist knowledge across all phases of the project ensuring its successful delivery was in line with its 10 month build programme and within its allocated budget of £3.5m. The first patient procedure was conducted on the 17th September 2015.
The new 1200sqm unit is now capable of meeting current and future patient demand of over 35,550 Skin treatment procedures per year, the unit has been designed to NHS Dementia friendly criteria and includes state-of-the-art facilities purpose-built to suit the needs of patients with skin cancer and other skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.
Among the benefits of the new unit are three new skin surgery theatres, and is one of only a few departments in England that has a Mohs micrographic surgery capability (a type of skin cancer surgery) and a Mohs laboratory all within the department, enabling specialists to analyse specimens during surgery to ensure the whole skin cancer has been removed. The design increases surgical capacity and allows for a more efficient and seamless journey for patients. In addition, there is other state-of the-art facilities within the department such as skin allergy testing, phototherapy, cutaneous medicine and light therapy all are linked via a centralised reception area with integrated consultation and treatment rooms.
Liam Kennedy Operations Manager congratulated the Virtus team stating “I wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of the directorate for the incredible work you have put in over the last Year.
The department is incredible and it such a vast improvement on the old unit. I speak on behalf of the whole directorate when I say that we are very grateful for all your support and effort in ensuring this happened as smoothly and efficiently as possible”.
Dr Irshad Zaki, consultant dermatologist and clinical director also praised Virtus stating “Having this fantastic new unit will enhance the service we can provide to our patients and puts Solihull Hospital at the forefront of dermatology treatment, not just in the Midlands, but in the country as a whole.”
