Milton Keynes University Hospital

Project Overview

Background

In 2023, Milton Keynes City Council provided Milton Keynes University Hospital with more than £15 million of funding to support the provision of improved local cancer care. This, together with additional contributions from NHS England and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, enabled the construction of a new £17 million radiotherapy centre, which opened in January 2025.

The centre is equipped with advanced CT scanning technology, radiotherapy equipment and consulting rooms, and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team from Oxford University Hospitals. It is an important asset for the community; local patients previously had to make a 70-mile round trip to the nearest facilities in Oxford, amounting to around 6,500 journeys every year.

Building the centre was the result of a coordinated effort by a large number of stakeholder partners and specialist suppliers, including Permarock. The work was led by main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction.

Brief

Energy efficiency and sustainability were central to the project, which included the use of low-carbon concrete. Permarock was brought into the delivery team because, from the earliest design stages, an external wall insulation system was regarded as essential. The building’s exterior walls would comprise a steel frame and sheathing boards. These required an EWI system both to protect the underlying substrate against water penetration and to ensure that the property would meet modern standards for energy efficiency.

The centre would not exceed two storeys, which would be below the 11-metre floor-height threshold that renders a fire-safe system mandatory. Nevertheless, the specifier, Ryder Architecture, chose a mineral-fibre system in order to ensure the highest standards of fire safety and future-proofing. This insulation would then be protected beneath a weather-resistant silicone render.

During the planning stage, Permarock technical staff provided architectural visualisations, material samples and colour swatches. As the scheme progressed, the same team conducted pull-out tests to determine the appropriateness of the proposed fixings for the substrate, and project-specific support for the installer, Rendserve.

Design and Specification:

The chosen EWI system comprised:

An EWI system composed of Permarock Mineral Fibre insulation and Permarock SiliconeUltra K finish will achieve an A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification (EN 13501-1:2007 + A1:2009). Consequently, it should be suitable for use on buildings of any height, including those with floor levels of 11 or more metres above ground level.

Here, the Permarock Mineral Fibre Dual Density Insulation was supplied in boards measuring 1200 mm x 600 mm, and to a thickness of 150 mm. Other thicknesses would be used as necessary to achieve certain details. In all areas, the boards were affixed using both a cement-based adhesive and steel anchors.

Permarock SiliconeUltra K is a lightweight render with a 15 mm grain texture. Typically lasting over 30 years, it is water repellent and vapour permeable. It is available in around 500 shades from Permarock’s A1 Colour Range, and thanks to its nano-quartz technology, it actively resists the accumulation of dirt on its surface. It also resists the growth of mould and algae, so it tends to retain a bright appearance without the need for regular cleaning and maintenance.

For this scheme, Permarock SiliconeUltra K was supplied in white.

Performance and Sustainability

Permarock Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation systems have low embodied energy and are BIM Level 2 compliant. They exhibit thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/mK, and have an Ecopoints score of 0.10 (m2). This rating is considered to be ‘excellent’.

The insulation boards are manufactured to EN 13162 and are free from CFCs and HCFCs. They have zero Ozone Depletion Potential and zero Global Warming Potential.

Result:

The scheme was scheduled for completion by late 2024. The construction phase, including the EWI works, were delivered in a timely fashion. Overall, the project finished very close to its expected completion date and the centre received its first patients on Monday 27 January 2025. The event was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Joe Harrison, CEO at Milton Keynes University Hospital, said: “We are delighted to see the Radiotherapy Centre open to its first patients here in Milton Keynes… By reducing the need for long-distance travel, we are not only easing the burden on patients and their families but also ensuring they receive timely and compassionate care.”

As expected, the mineral fibre EWI system has given the building a bright and attractive appearance and it is helping to minimise heating and air conditioning costs.

Project
New Build / Healthcare
Client
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Specifier
Ryder Architecture
Substrate
Sheathing Board on Steel Frame
System
Permarock Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation Systems
Finish
Permarock SiliconeUltra K Finish