Delivering better care, faster: Inside the Warrington Hospital Same Day Emergency Care Centre

Across the NHS, the demand for urgent and emergency services is rising. The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) model embodies the need to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time. That philosophy, offering rapid assessment, diagnosis and treatment to patients who can be safely discharged home on the same day, reduces unnecessary admissions and improves patient experience.

At Warrington Hospital, Tilbury Douglas had the opportunity to turn this strategic vision into reality. The project, a purpose-built extension to house a modern SDEC Centre, demonstrates how integrated delivery, smart technology and innovative construction approaches can accelerate healthcare transformation.

Reimagining space for patient-centred emergency care

The project delivered a 1,170 sqm two-storey extension to the Appleton Building at Warrington Hospital, providing much-needed space for urgent care services. The ground floor was designed specifically for patient-facing functions, including urgent ‘hot’ clinics, triage areas, ambulatory care and new assessment and treatment rooms. While the upper floor freed up ground-floor capacity by relocating admin, staff spaces and equipment storage.

Importantly, the extension also created a ‘high care’ clinical area capable of responding to acute respiratory conditions and other serious presentations, strengthening the Trust’s ability to manage complex cases without defaulting to overnight stays.

Digital collaboration and modern methods of construction

Delivering high-quality healthcare infrastructure swiftly and safely was central to this project’s success. Rather than traditional build approaches alone, Tilbury Douglas embraced digital technologies and modern methods of construction (MMC) to accelerate delivery while managing risk:

• Multivista digital progress tracking: This technology enabled the client and clinical stakeholders to virtually walk through the construction site with accurate 360° imagery, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout the build.
• Repeatability: Standardised clinical room designs reduced cost and carbon, while offering certainty and familiarity for the clinical teams moving into the space.
• Split-shifting and programme innovation: By thoughtfully sequencing work and deploying fit-for-purpose methodologies, the team delivered the project ahead of programme and within budget, with no lost-time accidents.

Social value with tangible impact

Warrington SDEC project generated significant social value for the local community. Delivered as a fast-track nine-month initiative, the scheme generated a return of £2.64M in social value, reflecting jobs, supply-chain engagement and broader economic benefits in Warrington.

Such outcomes illustrate how construction projects, particularly in health infrastructure, can serve as economic catalysts, enhancing local skills, boosting employment and reinforcing long-term community resilience.

Aligning with NHS priorities and patient outcomes

The new facility opened at a time when SDEC services were scaling across the NHS to reduce pressure on Acute emergency departments and improve patient flow. By enabling rapid assessment, diagnostic testing and treatment without unnecessary admission, SDEC units contribute to both better patient experience and efficiency in the NHS healthcare system.

From a strategic viewpoint, Warrington’s SDEC Centre aligns with national ambitions to reshape urgent and emergency care pathways, giving clinicians the space and tools they need to treat more patients effectively while reducing avoidable inpatient stays in Acute hospitals.

Benchmarking collaborative delivery

A testament to the collaborative engagement at SDEC was the recording of a 100% end-user satisfaction metric, achieved through the “one team” approach between Tilbury Douglas, the Trust’s estates and clinical teams, their stakeholders and design partners.

This outcome also highlights a crucial lesson for healthcare developments: success is not measured solely by time, cost and quality delivery, but by how well infrastructure supports the ongoing operational delivery for the clinical staff.

The Warrington Hospital SDEC Centre is more than a building, it is a case study in agile delivery, digital collaboration, and value-driven construction. At a time when healthcare systems face unprecedented demand, this project shows how innovative approaches can empower frontline services, strengthen communities and unlock systemic benefits for patients and clinicians alike.