The SDEC will allow healthcare specialists to assess, diagnose and treatment patients on the same day of arrival, who would otherwise have been admitted to the hospital.

David Carter, chief executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals said: ‘As the population grows, and population growth in Bedfordshire is significantly higher than the national average, the demand on NHS urgent and emergency services increases.

‘The development of the new SDEC will allow us to assess, diagnose and treat a high volume of urgent patients each day, in a timely manner, alleviating the pressure on our Emergency Department.'

Dr Tom Larsen, clinical director of the Emergency Department at Bedford Hospital, said: ‘With the creation of the new SDEC, not only will we be able to treat patients in the most appropriate way on the same day, but the patient experience will improve without the need to be admitted into the hospital.'

The new SDEC facility will be delivered by offsite construction specialist, Merit, using advanced Modern Methods of Construction.

More than 80% of the build taking will place off-site at Merit's factory in Northumberland in order to shorten the construction time on the hospital grounds, minimising disruption and enhancing project efficiencies.

The building, which will be located opposite the Emergency Department, is expected to open to patients in autumn 2025.