New operating theatres to be built at James Paget Hospital
It's hoped they'll help cut NHS waiting lists
Work is set to start soon on a new surgical theatres building at the James Paget University Hospital, designed to help reduce surgical waiting lists for patients.
The new Orthopaedic Elective Hub will operate seven days a week and will provide 1400 extra theatre sessions per year - which officials say is enough capacity for not only the hospital’s annual planned orthopaedic operations but also additional cases from across the Norfolk and Waveney healthcare system.
It's hoped the development will in turn free-up theatre sessions in the hospital’s main hospital theatres complex, resulting in thousands of additional procedures for other surgical specialties including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and ear, nose and throat.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has agreed funding of £17 million for the hub, which will have two operating theatres, a post-surgery recovery area and four patient bays.
Building work will begin in Autumn 2023, with the hub due to open in July 2024.
James Paget Chief Executive Jo Segasby said: “We are delighted that the DHSC has awarded us this funding, so that we can progress our plans for the new Orthopaedic Elective Hub.
“The hub will focus on providing orthopaedic surgery, with its own dedicated staff, to help us reduce the time that people are waiting for their procedures, not just locally but across the Norwich and Waveney system as a whole.
“Its creation underlines our commitment to delivering the best possible service for our patients - and is the latest step along the path of creating modern facilities for our patients here at Gorleston, including a new hospital by 2030.”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “I am so pleased that this investment will be used to help our patients receive the surgery they need more quickly.
“The development of the Orthopaedic Elective Hub at the James Paget is a prime example of the strong partnership working within our healthcare system, including the acute hospital collaborative, which is delivering the latest care and treatment facilities for the people of Norfolk and Waveney.”