Keyhole surgery usually allows quicker recovery

The upgrade, due to be completed by mid-July, will provide Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust with three theatres for keyhole surgery.

The new theatre for routine or non-emergency orthopaedic patients is due to be ready in early September.

The Strategic Health Authority approved the project in January.

Trust spokeswoman Anne Morris said its first keyhole surgery theatre opened in 2002.

Less invasive

"We're increasing that number to three - two inpatient and one day care - because laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery is being applied to more and more procedures in many specialties, such as urology, gynaecology, ENT and vascular surgery."

Because keyhole procedures are less invasive, patients generally recover from surgery more quickly.

She said the extra orthopaedic theatre was necessary because the demand for that type of surgery is growing in line with the elderly population.

"In recent times we've had to outsource some orthopaedic surgery to private hospitals in order to meet government targets but a third theatre will mean that will no longer be necessary," she said.