A new £1.4 million operating theatre has been opened at The Spire Norwich Hospital as part of their plans in keeping up with the demand of patients seeking alternative routes for treatment.

NHS waiting lists are at an all time high with an estimated 4.7 million in the UK people awaiting treatment due to delays due to Covid-19.

In Norwich and Waveney alone, around 90, 000 patients are currently on NHS waiting lists with around 10% of those waiting over 12 months.

During the pandemic, Spire Norwich has treated more than 20,000 patients who have turned to private treatment.  The new theatre hopes to treat around 30 patients per week and will be primarily used for day surgery and treating private patients.  The hospital also continues to receive NHS patients through the Commissioning National Framework contract.

Spire Norwich’s hospital director, Nayab Haider told an interview; ‘We are proud to have supported the NHS during one of the worst public health crises experienced in decades.

‘We are currently seeming any patients who have not been able to access the treatment they need up to now as a result of the pandemic.  Keen to get back to their normal lives, patients are utilising private healthcare to avoid waiting and have greater certainty on when they will get better.

‘Our new operating theatre forms part of a wider investment programme at Spire Norwich, funding brand new facilities including a CT scanner, all of which will maximise the number of NHS and private patients we can treat.’

Image: Spire Norwich - South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon visited the new £1.4million operating theatre at Spire Norwich.

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Carrie Plummer - Editor & Content Manager