Surgical capacity increased with new orthopaedic centre at NNUH
The hospital will be able to handle 2,500 more cases a year.
The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital has confirmed plans to increase it's surgical capacity with an ÂŁ11m orthopaedic elective centre on site.
The major project will see the creation of two new laminar flow theatres and a 21-bedded ward - which will provide the Trust with some much-needed standalone and Covid-secure facilities.
The complex will carry out around 2,500 orthopaedic cases every year for people who need ankle, foot, hip, knee or shoulder operations.
It will be in the existing Aylsham Suite, which is going to be repurposed and relocated to make way for the new centre.
Assuming planning is given the green light, work should begin later this Autumn with plans to start treating the first patients in Summer next year, following a recruitment process.
The project is a ÂŁ11.4m capital investment and the N&N Hospitals Charity is committed to fundraising ÂŁ2m for equipment for the centre. This would be the largest grant ever provided by the hospital charity, which will provide benefits for the local community for many years to come.
Tim Leary, Chief of Surgery, said: “This is an extremely exciting development, which will increase our elective bed base and reduce waiting times through a dedicated and specialised orthopaedic facility.
"Trust pressures have resulted in the cancellation of orthopaedic procedures in the past and this new centre will mean that we can reduce cancellations and continue elective work throughout winter and pandemic pressures. We will be implementing a full elective care recruitment strategy to get the new centre operational as soon as possible.”
The Aylsham Suite site was chosen as the preferred way forward to create a standalone theatre complex that is close to the main hospital site.
Sam Higginson, NNUH Chief Executive, added: “Creating a standalone orthopaedic centre will provide a safe, effective, integrated and efficient service which will improve patient experience and provides a solution that is operationally and financially efficient to NNUH and the wider system. This is in line with best practice prescribed by the NHS and other bodies as the most effective way to tackling long waiting lists.”