The Operating Theatre Journal - Journal - Page 35
RJAH planning for growth with hi-tech Theatre expansion
A state-of-the-art extension to the Theatre
building at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt
Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) is under way – in
a move that will help cut waiting lists.
The development at the Oswestry-based
hospital will initially see the addition of
one new Theatre at the hospital, giving the
capacity to carry out an additional 1,200
surgical procedures a year.
Work is already under way on this first phase
of the project, and should be complete by
the end of January 2024. As well as a new
Theatre, the development will also include a
recovery area, a staff rest room, toilets, and
some cleaning areas.
The hospital has exciting plans to build three
further new Theatres over the next three
years, as well as refurbishing four existing
ones.
The project is part of ambitious growth plans
at the hospital, which is one of just three
specialist orthopaedic institutions in the UK.
It will also help tackle waiting lists, which
have risen rapidly during the coronavirus
pandemic.
The current phase of the scheme is costing
£10.3 million – with £5.3 million of that
coming from the Trust’s own capital funds
and £5 million from a successful bid to the
Department of Health and Social Care’s
Targeted Investment Fund – which was money
made available to support schemes that
promote recovery from the pandemic.
Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive at RJAH, said:
“We’re excited to have already secured the
funding and begun work on the first phase of
this project.
“In the long term this is about growth, but
we are very focussed on also getting down our
waiting lists and giving all of our patients the
experience they expect and deserve.
Before covid, our activity levels were around
10,700 procedures a year, and this new,
additional Theatre will help us get back to
that and beyond.
“We’ve already made sure none of our patients
are waiting over two years for treatment and
we’re close to eliminating 78-week waits too.
NHS targets are for us to get below 65 weeks
by March next year, and this extension will
help us to achieve that and go further.
“We’re working on a business case for the next
phase of the project,” added Stacey. “That
will see us adding three more Theatres, and
modernising four which are coming towards
the end of their useful life.”
The new facilities are being built as an
extension to the existing Theatre block at the
hospital, which itself cost £15 million and was
only opened in 2017. That project delivered
four new Theatres, a new unit for same-day
surgery, a new High Dependency Unit and a
new bone tumour ward.
The development plans are being evolved in
conjunction with co-ordinated recruitment
and retention activity to ensure the hospital
has the staff and the skills it needs to make
the most of the new facilities.
Stacey said: “The new building is very exciting,
but it alone does not treat our patients, so
the most important part of the recipe is our
people.
“We have fantastic staff here at RJAH and
we’ve put considerable effort this year into
recruiting new people in all disciplines. We’ve
held two recruitment days – with a third
planned for July – and we’ve also recruited
nurses internationally as well. We’ve also
been successful in recruiting a number of new
consultants.
“It’s a great time to come and work at our
hospital, and I would encourage anyone
interested to take a look at:
www.rjah.nhs.uk/work-with-us
Please quote ‘OTJ’
for more information.”
Leading Experts Reshaping Healthcare Industry
The campaign will also explore the critical
role that healthcare plays in economic
development, social justice, and global
security.
“We believe that the development of the
healthcare sector is crucial to the wellbeing of people all over the world,” said
Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group.
TBD Media Group is proud to announce
the launch of its new Global Health
campaign, aimed at promoting innovation
and development in the healthcare sector
worldwide. With the goal of making the world
a better and healthier place, the campaign
will feature leading experts and innovative
solutions to some of the most pressing
challenges facing the healthcare industry
today.
The Global Health campaign will highlight
some of the most groundbreaking work being
done by leaders in the healthcare field,
showcasing the latest technologies, research,
and strategies being used to improve health
outcomes and advance healthcare delivery.
“Through our Global Health campaign, we
hope to shine a spotlight on the incredible
work being done by innovative leaders in
this field, and to inspire others to take
action and make a difference in the world.”
The Global Health campaign will feature a
series of interviews, articles, and videos with
leading healthcare experts, including doctors,
researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
These experts will showcase specific health
initiatives,
developing
ground-breaking
medicine and complex health technologies,
whilst taking on the challenges of both physical
and mental health worldwide.
“We are thrilled to bring attention to the
incredible work being done by healthcare
leaders around the world,” said Zanini.
Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com
Issue 393
“Through the Global Health campaign, we
hope to inspire others to join us in the fight
for a healthier, more equitable world.”
The Global Health campaign is just one of the
many initiatives launched by TBD Media Group
in its commitment to promoting innovation,
development, and social responsibility. With
a focus on cutting-edge technology, digital
advancement, and thought leadership, TBD
Media Group is dedicated to making a positive
impact on society and the world.
Companies featured in this launch:
Erbe: Untitled Kingdom: University of Freiburg:
ViiV Healthcare: Falck: MED-EL: Siemens
Healthineers: Bupa: Luminova Pharma Group:
Klafs: The Neuro (Montreal Neurological
Institute-Hospital): Tobii Dynavox: WHOOP:
Emma Sleep: Wicker Gruppe: KNCV: Avance
Clinical: Medscape
To learn more about TBD Media Group’s Global
Health campaign and to watch the video
documentaries and interviews, click here :
https://www.reuters.com/plus/tbd-mediagroup/connect-people-amplify-voices-andinspire-action
June
2023
35