A new £15 million surgical hub has opened at Kendal’s Westmorland General Hospital.
It has taken five years to complete the four-storey building and means it has doubled the size of the operating theatres department, with two new theatres, three refurbished operating theatres and associated clinical rooms.
The department at the hospital has more than 80 staff and the theatres provide elective care.
Amanda Murdock, a clinical theatres manager at the hospital, said: “We are delighted with the outcome. It makes such a difference having a modern and fresh work environment. It is very comfortable for patients and colleagues.
“When we were recruiting recently, we had 10 very experienced and highly trained candidates who all wanted to work here. We could have filled the roles several times over. We also ‘grown our own’ theatres colleagues by giving colleagues opportunities to upskill and progress in their careers.”
Laura Adderley, also a clinical theatre manager, said: “I am immensely proud of our new state-of-the-art theatre department – what a difference!
“It is unrecognisable to what was before. It has been a long journey to get here and the disruption during the build was challenging, however we worked with the capital services team, always having patient care in the forefront of our minds and this was never compromised.
“The new theatres and refurbishment mean we now have some of the most modern systems available to help our teams work safely and effectively to provide operations for many years to come.
“The end result is amazing, and we are excited to welcome patients to our department. We now have a department that reflects who we are.”
Gary Parsons, a senior operating department practitioner, said: “They are the nicest operating theatres in the North West! In my role, it’s my responsibility to greet our patients and to check them in.
“The feedback we’ve had from our most recent patient survey has been phenomenal. Patients love coming here because it is so calm and peaceful. The comments have been lovely. People have said they felt safe, secure and at ease. It’s an ideal scenario.”
Saurabh Odak, a consultant in trauma and orthopaedics, said: “I think the new hub is brilliant. The theatre I work in is very spacious – it is by far the biggest theatre I’ve seen in my career.
“The theatres are bigger and better which means the outcomes and experience for patients will be better. I love working here and I love working with the staff. It is very friendly and accommodating in general. I have everything I need for my patients.”
