A £6.5m robotic operating theatre at the University Hospital of North Tees has been completed, offering patients less invasive surgical options.
Construction began in February 2024, with the final phase delivering an 11-bed recovery area for post-operative patients. The facility will support gynaecological and urological procedures, with robotic-assisted surgery enabling quicker recovery times.
Consultant surgeon Anil Agarwal said the new recovery space would enhance “care and flow” for patients.
The theatre complex also includes a training room, an emergency maternity theatre, additional recovery space, toilets, and a staff room. Alison Coates, senior operations manager, explained: “The plan involved building an entirely new section one floor above ground level to bridge a gap over a courtyard. To say it was ambitious is an understatement.”
The facility features the Da Vinci robot, a white robotic system with a long surgical device inserted into a plastic shell on the operating table, allowing for precision in less invasive procedures.
Jordan Pearson, design and development manager at NTH Solutions, described the project as lengthy but now resulting in a “theatre suite fit for the future”.
Mr Agarwal added: “Patients are already benefitting from the new operating theatres and now patient care and flow will improve with the new recovery area. The new facilities will give theatre staff a better working environment.”
