£35m ‘centre of excellence’ plan for elective care

Ambitious plans for a £35 million “centre of excellence” for planned operations at Perth Royal Infirmary have been announced.

The Scottish Government-funded Tayside Elective Care Centre is to meet the demands of the region’s growing population.

The specialist complex is likely to offer procedures such as breast surgery, gynaecology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, urology, dermatology and ear, nose and throat treatments.

An outline business case is being prepared for the new-build facility which will include theatres, treatment rooms and pre and post-surgery beds.

A unit for people who require a short stay after procedures is also planned.

The proposal has been shaped by healthcare planners and surgical teams in virtual workshops.

If all goes to plan, work could begin next year and the first patients could arrive in late 2024.

The Scottish Government has pledged funding as part of a nationwide investment plan.

NHS Tayside chief executive Grant Archibald said: “The planned elective care centre would allow us to carry out hundreds of additional routine operations every year, and make PRI a centre of excellence for planned surgery.

“The development of the Tayside centre would see a significant investment at Perth Royal Infirmary, underlining NHS Tayside’s commitment to providing first-class healthcare from the PRI site for the future.

“PRI has the potential to be a recognised centre of excellence and all the teams in the hospital are looking forward to developing the plans further.”

Consultant anaesthetist and clinical director for the elective care centre Dr Michael Forster said: “This is such an exciting development because it has the ability to transform the ways in which our patients receive elective care.

“The model is being developed by clinicians and other healthcare professionals, patients and members of the public.”

Lorna Wiggins, chief operating officer at NHS Tayside, said it was an opportunity to create capacity over the next 15 to 20 years for elective procedures.

“Complex surgery will be done at Ninewells, PRI will do intermediate and lowrisk, and Strathcathro will do low-risk and regional work with NHS Grampian,” she said.

Councillor Eric Drysdale (SNP), a non-executive member of the NHS Tayside board, said: “I am delighted to see the careful planning that is going on to make best use of the hospital site, and with construction of these state-of-the-art facilities due to begin next year I can’t wait to see this major investment in Perth and Kinross become a reality.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney described the announcement as “hugely positive news”, and said it was “further evidence of the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare to the people of Perthshire.”

It comes after Conservative MSP for Midscotland and Fife Liz Smith launched a campaign in 2018 against what she saw as a “downgrading” of A&E services in Perth.

She said the elective centre announcement was “very welcome news for healthcare across Tayside.”

“I hope it will soon be accompanied by further commitments to secure the future of several other key facilities at Perth Royal Infirmary,” she added.

MAJOR OPERATION: The Scottish Government is funding a unit at Perth Royal Infirmary dedicated to elective surgery.