Two hybrid theatres open at Aintree University Hospital

Patients needing vascular surgery will benefit from two new hybrid theatres that are now operational at Aintree University Hospital.

The theatres are part of Aintree’s vascular centre that is the first in Merseyside to offer two hybrid operating suites.

The new suites, that welcomed the first patient on 13 September, allow for surgery and state-of-the-art imaging to be undertaken at the same time in a single operating theatre. This means a team of vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists can work together to carry out endovascular procedures, treating problems with blood vessels without the need for open surgery. Patients who are eligible to be treated by the team will have a significantly shorter recovery time, which in turn will help to cut waiting lists.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) – which runs Aintree, Broadgreen and the Royal Liverpool hospitals – has also upgraded existing theatres on site to support the two new suites that are located next to the Critical Care Department.

The build, which was carried out by construction partner Tilbury Douglas, is part of a £20.5million investment into the extension of the hospital’s Emergency Department.

LUHFT Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon, Simon Neequaye, said: “Our team were the first in the United Kingdom to offer complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, an operation that prevents an aortic aneurysm from bursting.

“The new hybrid operating rooms mean that we can continue to innovate and offer all of our patients access to advanced image-guided surgery. We will also be able to treat peripheral vascular disease, a condition that restricts blood flow to a person’s limbs and other body parts. We are seeing a rise in patients with this condition and the ability to treat those in our care quickly will be transformational.”

Phil Shaw, Divisional Director for the North West at Tilbury Douglas, said: “It is a great achievement from all those involved to be able to hand over the completed project to Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“The new facilities will enable health professionals to deliver the care that patients deserve in a space fit for purpose with an enhanced layout. This will allow them to manoeuvre more quickly, driving clinical efficiencies and enhanced patient care for the local community.”