New Orthopaedic Theatres aim to reduce long waits for surgery

People in need of Orthopaedic surgery will benefit from increased theatre capacity in Devon at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

Patients including those waiting for knee and hip replacements, shoulder replacements and spinal fusion, have experienced long waits due to limited theatre capacity and the demand for emergency surgery. But three new theatres will help to restore Orthopaedic activity and bring waiting lists down.

This will take the total number of theatres at Derriford Hospital to 35, and a further 24 beds will be ringfenced to support the new theatres.

The modern laminar flow theatres will meet the longer term complex elective Orthopaedic demand from across Devon and Cornwall. Located next to the existing Intensive Care and High Dependency Units, they will be suitable for the most complex patients.

Mark Brinsden, Orthopaedic Consultant at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: “Reducing waiting times and providing sufficient local capacity to meet demand will ensure all residents in the Plymouth footprint and surrounding areas have equitable, local, sustainable access to care.”

John Finn, Director of Commissioning Urgent & Elective Care for NHS Devon, said: “This is great news for our patients here in Devon. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on our waiting lists and we know that causes people additional pain and anxiety.  These new theatres are one of a number of initiatives we have to reduce the time people wait for their treatment.”

The new theatres will also help patients in need of emergency trauma surgery. As the major trauma centre for the south west peninsula, University Hospitals Plymouth has high emergency and trauma attendances  - up to 40 patients per week - restricting the availability of theatre sessions.

The first patients will be treated in the new theatres in autumn 2023.