New day surgery unit to 'transform' NHS care

A new surgical hub in Eastbourne will perform more than 7,000 operations a year

A new £40m elective surgical hub in East Sussex is set to transform day surgery services, offering faster access and an improved patient experience, the trust says.

The purpose-built unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital includes four operating theatres, pre-assessment and recovery areas, and will initially operate five days a week.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) said the hub, which opens on Monday, marks a major investment in both infrastructure and workforce.

Evette Davies, assistant director of nursing at ESHT, said the hub would deliver "really effective care, good services, in a really positive environment".

Day surgery units offer planned minor and sometimes more major surgical procedures and treatments that are completed within the same day, eliminating the need for an overnight hospital stay.

They are designed to reduce waiting times and allow patients to recover at home.

Ms Davies said: "It's high volume, low complexity surgery.

"It makes us really productive, really efficient as a unit, which is a benefit for our patients so that they can be seen quicker, we can reduce our elective backlog."

Dr Evans said the majority of patients want to come in, have their operation and go home at the end of the day

The hub has been funded by NHS England, NHS Sussex and the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital.

It will serve patients across Sussex and provide extra capacity to address both current and future surgical needs.

The purpose-built Sussex Surgical Hub will initially operate five days a week

Dr James Evans, consultant anaesthetist and clinical lead for the project, said the hub would improve access to operations and free up space elsewhere in the hospital.

"It's allowed us some space to innovate, recruit and improve our pathways and facilities we offer within the Trust," he said.

The national Elective Recovery Plan aims for 92% of patients to begin non-urgent treatment within 18 weeks by 2029.