“Milestone” theatres building officially opens at Poole Hospital
Thousands of patients will benefit from "long-term investment in the NHS" in Dorset
Thousands of patients each year will benefit from shorter waiting times because of a new state-of-the-art theatres building at Poole Hospital.
It’s seen as “an important milestone” for the University Hospital Dorset (UHD) as the building is at the centre of plans to create a ‘major planned care hospital’ in the region.
The five-storey, purpose-built theatre is an extension to the existing hospital building. They incorporate a four-table open-plan ‘barn’ theatre, with each patient treated in a dedicated space with an ultra-clean air canopy over each station.
Dr Isabel Smith, UHD medical director of strategy and transformation, said: “The ‘barn’ theatre and facilities within the building will increase efficiency, meaning more patients will be seen sooner.
“The opening of this surgical hub is an important step on the journey to create the separation of planned and emergency care.”
In 2025, Poole Hospital will become the major planned care hospital in the region, able to offer high quality elective care without the disruption or delay that can occur from high volumes of emergency cases having to take precedence.
UHD chief executive, Siobhan Harrington said: “The state-of-the-art operating theatres is much larger than those used currently.
“We’ve got really modern facilities with the right space and spec for staff and for patients. They allow for a wider range of surgical procedures and more equipment.”
Despite the many challenges the NHS faces, the £500m upgrade in services is a celebration of long-term investment that will help transform care in Dorset.
Procedures in the new building have already begun, taking place since the end of May but a ceremony was held on Tuesday to mark its official opening.
among the first patients to undergo a procedure at the new facility, cut the ribbon to a round of applause while representatives from University Hospitals Dorset looked on.