The centre, at the Freeman Hospital, is specifically designed to carry out day case procedures efficiently and effectively, to improve the experience of patients and maximise the number of people that can be seen.
Patients come to the centre from Newcastle and beyond, for a range of procedures and treatments including musculoskeletal health, urology, general surgery, plastic surgery, neurology, pain management and some cardiology care.
David Rix, consultant urology surgeon and clinical director of the day treatment centre said:
“The last 12 months have passed quickly and we’re delighted to have treated around 6500 patients in the centre.
“People give us really good feedback about their experience here and it’s a great working environment for staff.
“Technology now allows a wider range of less complex procedures to be carried out as day cases, meaning patients can return home on the same day as they have their operation and recuperate in their own environment.
“Over the months, we’ve expanded the range of procedures we offer at the centre, to include gynaecology and endoscopy, and there are plans to provide even more options in the future.”
The centre is helping to tackle waiting list backlogs caused by the pandemic, with many patients being transferred across from the main hospital theatres which, in turn, frees them up to carry out more complex work.
And because the facility is ‘self-contained’, its operating theatres aren’t affected by emergency patient admissions or pressures linked with winter, so appointments rarely need to be rearranged.
Martin Wilson, chief operating officer at Newcastle Hospitals said:
“The team at the day treatment centre are providing a valuable and valued service for patients and it’s fantastic to see so many people benefiting from our investment in the facility.
“The centre is allowing us to provide faster access to thousands of additional operations and procedures for people in Newcastle and the wider region, and we plan to offer even more going forward.”
