New operating theatre opens at Newark Hospital

It is hoped the new theatre will cut waiting times by facilitating 2,600 more operations every year

A new £5.6m operating theatre has opened at a hospital in Nottinghamshire.

The theatre will ensure "more patients can get the treatment they need", says Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Newark Hospital.

It is hoped the theatre, which opened on Monday, will facilitate 2,600 more operations every year.

It was funded with £5.6m from NHS England's Targeted Investment Fund after a successful bid.

Operations will begin on 6 November, and will mainly focus on hip, knee, hand and wrist procedures, including total hip and knee replacements.

There will also be additional slots for general surgery, breast surgery, gynaecology and ophthalmology.

Bala Srinivasan, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, called the facility "state of the art"

Bala Srinivasan, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service many patients would be able to go home on the same day.

"It's a chance for people locally and further away - such as Mansfield and Ashfield - to get seen quicker," he said.

"We're urging people to ask for Newark when they see their GP and get an appointment here."

David Ainsworth, director of strategy and partnerships at the trust, added: "We are proud to have opened this new theatre suite at Newark Hospital, which will mean more patients can get the treatment they need and get back to living a fuller life, faster."