Nottingham – A £35 million scheme, which aims to increase capacity and deliver high-quality outcomes for patients undergoing elective (planned) surgery, has reached an important milestone.
Groundworks have started, and a 35.5-metre (116 ft) tower crane has been installed at the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) City Hospital site to progress the creation of a new elective hub. The works include extending an existing building alongside the creation of a three-storey building.
Funding for the scheme has come from the national Targeted Investment Fund (TIF), aimed at supporting the reduction of patient waiting lists and cancelled operations following the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as addressing mounting operational pressures.
Once completed, the elective hub will include three operating theatres, an additional 24 elective in-patient beds, and 18 day-case beds to support elective day-case surgery. The dedicated facility will help deliver NUH’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) ambitions by increasing overall capacity and productivity, as well as delivering high-quality outcomes for patients undergoing planned surgery.
Phase One of the elective hub, which includes the additional 24 in-patient beds, is already in place and operational.
Over the past year, works have progressed to prepare the City Hospital site for Phase Two, which has included the demolition of a Victorian building containing two old theatres.
In its place, the new facilities will include three state-of-the-art operating theatres, 18 day-case beds, and a patient reception and waiting area. Staff will also benefit from brand-new office and seminar spaces, rest areas, and new changing rooms.
Duncan Hanslow, NUH Programme Director for Reconfiguration, said: “The new hub will give us the opportunity to continue reducing the backlog of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire waiting for planned operations, as well as minimising the risk of cancellations.
“It will also provide a new, more efficient way of working for our elective theatres, as they will be located together within a purpose-built setting.
“We have worked extensively with stakeholders and colleagues across NUH to help design the new facilities. In addition to supporting the delivery of high-quality, safe, efficient, and effective care for patients, the hub will also provide an excellent working space for staff.”
The new scheme aligns with NUH’s future vision for elective care – to create a centre of excellence at the City Hospital site, ensuring that these services can be accessed by all patients when they need them.
The elective hub is expected to be completed in 2026.
