Patients from Wellington will benefit from faster access to surgery, state-of-the-art facilities and an improved overall experience following the opening of the major new surgical centre at Musgrove Park Hospital.
The development, built by Kier, brings together operating theatres, endoscopy services and theatre admissions within a purpose-built facility, designed to support patients before, during and after surgery, as well as a new intensive care unit.
The new centre – called the King’s Building – includes eight operating theatres, six endoscopy rooms and a 22-bed intensive care unit, providing modern facilities for both patients and colleagues while creating additional capacity to help reduce waiting times for treatment.
Health Minister, Alison McGovern, said: “The opening of the King’s Building is a major milestone for Musgrove Park Hospital.
“By bringing operating theatres, endoscopy services and intensive care together in one purpose-built centre, we can increase capacity, improve patients’ experience and help more people get the treatment they need sooner.
“This major investment will give clinical teams the modern buildings, equipment and technology they need to deliver better care for patients now and in the future.”
Martin Wilkinson, chief operating officer for NHS England South West, said: “Surgical hubs are making a real difference as coverage increases in the South West, so it’s excellent to see this latest unit come on stream.
“Having state-of-the-art buildings can transform the experience of surgery for staff and patients alike, as well as helping bring down waiting lists.”
David Shannon, director of strategy and digital development at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The opening of our new surgical centre is a hugely important milestone for patients, colleagues and healthcare services across Somerset.
“This is a modern, purpose-built facility that has been designed around the needs of our patients and the teams who care for them.
“It gives us additional capacity, creates a far better experience for patients, and provides an environment that supports the very best care.
“The King’s Building will enable us to open additional operating theatre lists, helping more patients receive the treatment they need while supporting our long-term plans for improving healthcare services across the county.”
Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, said: “The new surgical unit is the culmination of years of hard work by many, and the dedication of NHS staff who have made it happen.
“The unit will be a huge boost to patients at Musgrove Park and is exactly the sort of investment our NHS needs.
“It’s replacing some of the World War Two era buildings, which demonstrates how much we need the government to green light our new maternity unit to replace the rest.
“I’m delighted that signatures on my petition on Musgrove’s next most important project have now topped 2,500.”
MAIN PHOTO: The King’s Building. INSET: Hybrid operating theatre.
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