Royal Bolton Hospital: NHS managers check on new theatres

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Fiona Noden attended the site on Minerva Road, Farnworth to see how close to completion new operating theatres are at the site.

The new theatres are intended to help reduce the hospital’s surgery backlog.

The proposed new modular theatre will connect the hospital’s existing urology block to the operating theatres already in place and will be built on part of the Nicholson car park.

The building will include operating theatres, recovery space, staff changing facilities, storage facilities and a plant room.

As well as providing extra spaces, this will allow the hospital to refurbish its existing theatres so that they are capable of hosting medical operations for 52 days a week rather than just 48 as they do currently.

A spokesman said: “Our Chief Executive, Fiona Noden, has joined iFM colleagues to see how construction is progressing on our new multi-million theatres.

“Work began in August, and once complete this year they will help improve patient experience and clear the number of people waiting for surgery.”

The four new operating theatres will be crucial to driving down waiting lists and helping patients get the surgery they need much quicker.

Artist impression

The major expansion plans will also include an extra bespoke theatre hub for children’s operations.

They are being built on what was a staff car park near the Princess Anne maternity unit.

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To ensure staff have enough space to park, new car parks have been created throughout the Plodder Lane site by iFM.

Trust officials say that four new modular theatres should be open and ready for use by next summer, with the bespoke paediatric hub planned to be operational by early 2024.