Publish date: 29 October 2024
Thousands of children and adults across Cheshire and Merseyside are receiving care quicker thanks to surgical centres, with more to come next year, including the Trust's new centre at the Victoria Infirmary in Northwich (VIN).
Research from The Health Foundation shows the impact new surgical centres have had in their first year across the country, with the Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital shown to be tackling waiting lists by delivering more operations in shorter times while improving patient care.
Meanwhile, the Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre at the VIN is due to open in spring 2025 and will treat around 12,000 patients each year.
The centre will provide state-of-the-art clinical areas to support patient care, securing local services for the community for the future.
These include two theatres covering ophthalmology, orthopaedics, pain, ear nose and throat (ENT), dermatology, and general surgery. There will also be a treatment room, recovery area and consulting rooms.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust aims to treat a large number of ‘high volume low complexity’ patients from across the region who require less complex operations and procedures. This will help reduce waiting times for patients, with an immediate focus on those who have been waiting 52-weeks for treatment.
Gemma Morgan-Lees, General Manager of the Victoria Infirmary, said: “The establishment of the surgical centre at Victoria Infirmary is a key priority for the Trust, reflecting our dedication to enhancing healthcare services in our local communities.
“This development not only aims to improve access to high-quality surgical care but also reinforces our commitment to providing essential services within a convenient proximity to the patients we serve.
“By bringing such facilities closer to home, we hope to ensure that patients receive timely and efficient care, thereby improving their overall health outcomes and reinforcing their connection to the healthcare system.”
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital treated 3,000 patients in its first year and has continued to support the Trust to tackle waiting lists in the years since.
Read the full news story on the Cheshire and Merseyside ICB website.
