Nottingham City Hospital to get three new operating theatres

Plans have been approved for three new operating theatres to be built at Nottingham City Hospital in an effort to cut patient waiting times.

It is part of a £35m scheme which hospital bosses say will help more than 4,700 patients get care sooner.

Money for the project has been provided by the government and the plans have been approved by Nottingham City Council planning officers.

The first phase of the new "hub" will be in operation this winter.

This will provide 24 ring-fenced inpatient beds, while the next stage will include a day-case facility and three operating theatres, and is expected to be completed by winter 2024.

Duncan Hanslow from Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH) said the funding had "given us the opportunity to continue to reduce the backlog of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire waiting for planned procedures, as well as minimising the risk of cancellations".

"The design of the new facilities has been developed through extensive engagement with stakeholders and colleagues across NUH," said Mr Hanslow, who is NUH's programme director for reconfiguration.

"In addition to supporting the delivery of high-quality, safe, efficient and effective care for patients, both now and in the future, the hub will also provide an excellent working space for staff."

An old building (left) will be partially demolished to make way for new theatres (right)

Documents submitted by the trust and seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show the demolition of parts of an existing building will be required to build the new facility close to the main theatres.

The new build will refurbish and reuse sections of existing buildings to provide three elective theatres and ancillary facilities over two storeys.

Other recent developments at City Hospital include a new surgical ward that was completed in August, and a further theatre suite that is expected to become operational this winter.

An assessment from council officers says: "The City Hospital (and QMC) are noted as facilities of sub-regional importance.

"They employ large numbers of people, and have significant impacts on the city, especially its economy.

"The expansion and enhancement of these facilities is strongly supported and proposals which prejudice this will be resisted."