‘Such a breakthrough’: Two operating theatres to open in South-east London to cut surgical waiting times

Two new operating theatres which will be able to deliver more than 5,000 procedures a year are set to open in South-east London with hopes the new facilities will cut surgical waiting times in the area.

Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham, joined Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) colleagues to break ground on the brand-new Lewisham Surgical Centre at University Hospital Lewisham.

Attendees to the event experienced a virtual tour of the facility through virtual reality headsets to ‘tour’ the 860 square metre facility. Time lapse footage of the construction work was also screened.

Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “It’s been a pleasure to see Lewisham Surgical Centre take shape today and to meet just some of the dedicated colleagues who will be working there. 

“Lewisham Surgical Centre is going to be such a breakthrough for patients both here in Lewisham and further afield in South London.”

Built and delivered by LGT in partnership with the South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), the new centre aims to cut waiting times for surgery across all of South east London.

Lewisham Surgical Centre will focus on ‘high volume, low complexity’ procedures for patients requiring Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery. 

ENT has one of the largest specialty waiting lists in the country – more than 650,000 as of May 2024 according to NHS data.

LGT chief executive, Ben Travis, said: “I want to pay tribute to the many people – colleagues, partners and patients who have shared their views – who have got Lewisham Surgical Centre to where it is today. 

“We can’t wait to open this state-of-the-art facility up and start working in partnership to bring down those ENT waiting lists.”

The centre will be available to anyone living in South east London.

The Trust is working with the South East London Acute Provider Collaborative (APC) along with partners Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to manage surgical capacity and ensure that as many patients are able to access the service.

It’s also set to provide employment opportunities for people in the area for roles like anaesthetics, support staff and administration, as well as requiring the recruitment of more than 30 new nurses. 

Lewisham Surgical Centre is set to begin operation in late 2025.

Pictured top: From left, Tony Aymat ENT Consultant, Ben Travis, CEO, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham and Steven McGee with shovels at the new development at Lewisham Hospital (Picture: Chris Winter)