New £6m operating theatres open in bid to tackle backlog at the George Eliot
First patients treated at much-needed units
We continue to invest in facilities on our site and these new theatres will help us reduce the time people have to wait for their care
NEW £6m theatres to help tackle Nuneaton hospital’s surgical backlog have opened their doors.
Work has been ongoing to create the much-needed additions at the hospital since March.
They started treating their first patients in the last few weeks.
Orthopaedic and general surgery patients will be treated at the theatres, which will be open seven days a week.
Hospital bosses said the theatres are key for the ‘Eliot being able to tackle waiting lists while also coping with a predicted surge in demand for care this winter.
The modular-built units have been built next to the existing Captain Tom Moore unit, which opened in September last year.
David Eltringham, managing director at the ‘Eliot, explained that the new theatres will be vital as the hospital braces for a ‘challenging’ few months.
“We continue to invest in facilities on our site and these new theatres will help us reduce the time people have to wait for their care,” he said.
“They will also help us manage the busy winter period by continuing to provide planned care over the challenging next few months.”
As with the wider NHS, the ‘Eliot is bracing itself for higher demand for its services over winter and is asking patients to do their bit and ensure they make the right choices when seeking care.
“We also hope that people can support the hospital and the wider NHS this year by using the NHS 111 online service in the first instance for urgent care and advice. In many cases, they can arrange an appointment to be seen by the most appropriate service.
“Please only use 999 in an emergency,” the managing director said.