NEW state-of-the-art theatres opened at Royal Bolton Hospital will help 5,000 patients a year.

The hospital’s new £19.6million Elective Care Centre, which opened in January, has four theatres which will be used to help ease waiting lists.

Hospital bosses say they will be used by around 5,000 patients annually. Annette Walker, chief finance officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is absolutely brilliant to see this fantastic new facility open on time and on schedule.

“The increase in Bolton’s theatre capacity will make such a difference for the experience our patients receive, and help bring down the number of people waiting for their operation.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how these theatres improve the lives of people in Bolton and beyond.

The four ultra-modern theatres have been designed to work flexibly and adapt for inpatient and day case adult patients.

Day case surgeries includes ear nose and throat, oral, urology and general specialities.

The first three patients treated in the new centre had surgery for breast cancer, ear, nose and throat surgery and oral surgery.

As well as the four new theatres, two integrated wards have also been built as part of the development.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has staffed the new theatres in part through its theatre academy project, in collaboration with the University of Bolton.

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