New surgical hub treats more than 500 patients
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS TrustA new elective surgical hub at a Cornish hospital has treated more than 500 patients since opening three months ago.
The £15m facility at St Austell Community Hospital has two operating theatres, four recovery bays, and six pre-op assessment rooms.
It aims to deliver about 5,000 surgeries annually in the future, including ophthalmology and gynaecology procedures.
Steve Williamson, chief executive of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, praised the hub for providing care closer to home and easing waiting lists across Cornwall.
'Fantastic'
"At a time of great challenge for the NHS with significant pressure on our waiting lists, it is fantastic to have these two additional operating theatres to help us address that," he said.
John Groom from the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said: "This facility will not only provide patients with timely access to high quality care, but also plays a key role in reducing waiting times and easing the pressure on our wider healthcare system."
The facility opened in October 2024.
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