A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of work on site for Cornwall’s new elective surgical hub.
The modular facility is already being manufactured off site at ModuleCo’s specialist manufacturing centre, running concurrently with the enabling works. Alongside other benefits, this approach of maximising off site construction to the point where the facility is 90% complete dramatically reduces the overall project programme when compared against traditional construction.
The facility features two state-of-the-art theatre suites, first stage and second stage recovery wards, and preoperative assessment rooms. In its first year of operation the new surgical centre will undertake more than 5,000 procedures, taking pressure off acute hospitals in the region.
Debbie Richards, Chief Executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust says this development builds on the success of joint working between the two Trusts:
“This is a really important milestone of our partnership with the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, but also the work that is being enabled by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.
“It means that local people will be able to access some of their surgical procedures in the St Austell community. These are day case procedures, but it does mean that people will be able to come here and access care in a more convenient way.
“It is also going to provide some additional capacity that means as a system, we will be able to bring down waiting lists across the county.”
Chief Executive of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Steve Williamson, explains how the hub will benefit patients and the NHS:
“It is really important to local people that depending on the surgical procedure they need to have, some of them will be able to receive that procedure here. If you are a resident of mid, north or east Cornwall, you may be able to receive your care here in St Austell rather than travelling to the Royal Cornwall Hospital or Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. It is fantastic, as we know that travel is one of the factors that can add to the stress of having surgery, having care close to home is really important.
“Having two extra operating theatres increases our overall capacity. That is really important as we look to reduce the waiting times for surgeries. That is happening right across the NHS, so we are absolutely thrilled that we are starting work on a new elective operating centre here at St Austell.”
The new modular surgical facility will be owned by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and operated by clinicians from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.