New £35.5m Friarage Surgical Centre opens
The first patients will arrive today
A new £35.5 million surgical unit opens at Northallerton hospital today.
The purpose-built centre includes six main operating theatres, two minor operating theatres, and a surgical admission and day hub.
The centre will mean around 10,000 elective surgeries can be carried out every year – double the current number undertaken at the hospital.
Nine different specialist surgeries will be available at the hub, with the latest robotic technology being used by consultants.
Funding for the centre was approved in 2022 with work delayed due to the Covid pandemic.
But Sarah Baker, lead nurse for the centre, said the need for a new hub was confirmed back in 2015 following a review of facilities by the Department of Health.
She said: “There’s been talk for so long about the future of the Friarage and it’s never been particularly positive.
“But this a major investment in the hospital and protects its future. Staff are really excited about the centre’s opening and are feeling positive about the future of the Friarage”
Ms Baker said clinical staff at the hospital had been heavily involved in designing the new centre to ensure it allowed staff to provide the best possible care for patients.
She said the local community had also been involved with donations provided by businesses and the Friends of the Friar age group, and local school children taking part in a competition to design artwork for the centre.
The senior nurse also praised Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak for helping to secure the funding for the centre.
Officials at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are hopeful the new hub will aid recruitment at the hospital, which has proved challenging in the past.
The centre will be staffed by around 100 people, including 25 new posts.
Andrew Murray, clinical operational lead for the new centre, added: “The new centre will provide safe care, in a timely manner closer to your home — that’s what it’s all about.
“It also gives staff the chance to work in a much nicer, purpose-built environment.”
Catterick Village resident Jason Sykes, 54, is booked in to have a second hip replacement.
The mechanic said: “It’s great to have such fantastic facilities just 20 minutes away, and means you don’t have to go all the way to James Cook in Middlesbrough.
“This will help me get my life back on track. I can get fit again and get back to work.”