Derriford Hospital has secured major investment to expand its operating capacity, with work set to begin on two new operating theatres.
The development has secured funding from the national NHS Elective Recovery Fund to address the major impact of COVID on hospital waiting times, as part of the Accelerator Programme.
The move will see the existing Ophthalmology Theatres relocate from Level 7 of Derriford Hospital, to new purpose-built theatres based within the disabled car park.
This move will vacate two existing theatres within the main building, creating capacity for additional theatre lists in other specialties to treat the most complex, longest waiting or highest clinical priority cases.
When asked about the importance of this development, chief operating officer, Jo Beer said:
“Securing this investment is a very important step in our elective recovery. Introducing two additional theatres will allow us to treat around 200 additional patients each month and tackle waiting lists following the pandemic.”
The Trust will be redistributing 25 dedicated spaces into adjacent car parks to accommodate the new build. This will ensure the current level of disabled car parking capacity is maintained, whilst spreading accessible spaces to entrances across the site.
These spaces will continue to be serviced by the Trust’s access buggy to transfer visitors to the main entrance.
