Temporary Theatre

While the two additional day surgery theatres are under construction in the DTC, a temporary theatre will be used for ophthalmic surgery. The new unit, located in front of the Day Surgery Unit, was ready for use in early February 2003.  By making it possible to carry out more day-surgery eye operations in this temporary theatre, beds will be freed in other parts of the hospital for other surgical procedures to take place.

Start date: December 2002

Finish date: early February 2003

Contractor: PKL

Project Value: £500,000

Point of contact: Steve Moore on ext. 3973 or Terry Robertson on ext. 3651

 Ultraclean Theatre Number 9

Currently West Suffolk Hospital has eight operating theatres within the main building. Ultra Clean Theatre 9 is to be created adjacent to the existing Theatre 8 in the remaining courtyard space. The design will be similar to that of Theatre 8, which was completed and handed over in early 2002. 

The provision of an extra Ultra Clean Theatre will allow an additional 800 hip and knee replacement operations to be carried out annually, helping to make a significant impact on reduced waiting times for such procedures. Design of this new theatre will require its construction on stilts at first floor level, with the space below being available for development as a storage facility, either now or at a later date when funding is available. To complement the additional orthopaedic procedures to be carried out in Ultra Clean Theatre 9, the Trust is also planning to develop a new orthopaedic outpatients’ department. The exact location for such a facility has not yet been identified, but will almost certainly be within the main hospital building, possibly as a development of a previously vacated area or internal courtyard.

Start date: January 2003

Finish date: August 2003

Contractor: Tendring Construction

Project Value: £1 million

Point of contact: Steve Moore on ext. 3973 or Terry Robertson on ext. 3651

 Oncology

The existing cancer service is over subscribed and spilling out of its current accommodation within ward G1.  As a consequence (through a partnership with Macmillan cancer care) the Trust is drawing up designs for an in/outpatients department that will be developed adjacent to G1. The development of this new oncology unit will enable provision of a co-ordinated and holistic service that is focused on the complete needs of the haematology and oncology patient, offering treatment, information, support and access specialist advice. The existing unit will continue to be utilised by the cancer service.

Start date: November 2003

Finish date: September 2004

Contractor: Hay Mills

Project Value: £2.3 million

Point of contact: Sue Vincent on ext. 3359

See also: the Macmillan cancer relief website, www.macmillan.org.uk

 Occupational Therapy

Conversion of the area previously occupied by the Joyce Cockram Day Hospital into a Breast Unit, and changes in provision of some of the therapy services has led to the re-provision of Occupational Therapy facilities.  The new development, adjacent to the existing Physiotherapy department, uses space more effectively to improve patient flow within the unit and provide a more aesthetically pleasing environment for patients and staff, enhancing rehabilitation.  The assessment suites are also being refurbished and the décor in some of the adjacent offices and waiting areas is being refreshed. 

Start date: mid Nov 2002

Finish date: mid February 2003

Contractor: Seamans Building

Project Value: £194,000

Point of contact: Jill Canning on ext. 2751

 X-Ray room 3

A new ‘state of the art’ X-Ray machine is to be installed in X-Ray room 3.

Renal Dialysis unit

Plans are going ahead to build a renal dialysis unit on the hospital site. The facility, which will treat patients from West Suffolk and the surrounding area, will be managed by Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The unit is being built at the back of the old G8 area and will provide facilities for up to 12 patients to be dialysed at any one time. Addenbrooke’s is leasing the accommodation from the Trust over the next 10 years and have contracted Fresenius National Medical Care (UK) Ltd. to provide the service.  Service level agreements are being negotiated with the Trust to provide some support services. The unit will mean that patients in the West Suffolk area do not have to travel to Cambridge for dialysis.  In turn, this will also relieve pressure on Addenbrooke’s Hospital. 

Start date: early April 2003

Finish date: early September 2003

Contractor: Sandycroft

Project Value: £449,000

Point of contact: Ian Stuchbury (for building issues) on ext. 3946 or Sue Vincent (for clinical issues) on ext. 3359.