Morgan Sindall Construction's Eastern Counties business has been appointed by West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the £15 million construction phase of a state-of-the-art Endoscopy Unit at Newmarket Community Hospital.

The £25m facility, which will also house paediatric audiology and training facilities, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The project aims to improve local access to specialist healthcare services for residents of Newmarket and surrounding towns and villages. By providing services closer to home, the new centre is expected to ease pressure on West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, reduce patient travel times, and help lower waiting lists across the region.

Procured through the Procure23 framework, the 2,300m² two-storey building will feature four endoscopy rooms, 16 pre- and post-procedure preparation rooms, two audiology suites, two training rooms, and a range of clinical and support spaces.

Developed in collaboration with Medical Architecture, ETA Projects (mechanical and electrical engineering), and Rossi Long (structural and civil engineering), the building will be constructed using a traditional steel frame with SFS, PCC planks, metal deck, and a high-quality brickwork façade. This approach is designed to ensure durability, efficiency, and a high-quality finish.

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Morgan Sindall will deliver the project in a live hospital environment, working closely with the Trust to maintain seamless day-to-day operations. The scheme has been designed to fit within a constrained footprint to preserve existing trees and incorporate structural features such as the current retaining wall.

Modern Methods of Construction will be embedded throughout the programme. A Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) assessment has already confirmed a PMV of 75%, exceeding the NHS minimum requirement by 5%. Digital tools including ACC, Gamma AR, Occulo, and Edocs will be used to support quality, efficiency, and innovation at every stage.

In line with Morgan Sindall's sustainability goals, the facility will operate entirely on electricity, using air source heat pumps for heating and hot water. PV panels will be installed on the roof, embodied carbon savings will be tracked using the CarboniCa digital tool, and the site will aim to operate diesel-free.

The project will also deliver lasting social value, with plans to welcome at least one full-time apprentice, two industry apprentices, and offer 10 weeks of student work placements. Additionally, 60% of the supply chain will be sourced from within a 30-mile radius, supporting local employment and economic growth.

The Endoscopy Unit will be located next to the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Newmarket Community Hospital, also delivered by Morgan Sindall for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in December 2024.

Alister Broadberry, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Eastern Counties, said: "This Endoscopy Unit represents a major investment in the health and wellbeing of communities across West Suffolk. We're very much looking forward to working in close partnership with the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust again to deliver modern, efficient clinical spaces that not only improve patient experiences but increase local capacity. Something that’s so important for the local community here in Newmarket.

"This facility will make a genuine, long-lasting difference for the region, and we’re exceptionally proud to be part of that."