Eye theatre suite opens at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

The suite, at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, means eye surgeries will be able to continue when the hospital is busy - so surgery will not have to be postponed.

READ MORE: Taunton's new eye theatre could combat waiting times caused by Covid-19

It was built off site as a modular build, complete with all equipment inside, and was lifted into place at the hospital.

Musgrove Park Hospital submit plans for the build earlier this year.

READ MORE: Plans for eye theatre suite at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

The opthalmic suite has changing rooms and a private waiting area, as well as rooms for anaesthetists and surgeons.

Ed Herbert, a consultant ophthalmologist at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our eye unit is the busiest department at Musgrove Park Hospital, carrying out over 3,000 operations every year and providing nearly 50,000 outpatient appointments.

“Historically there has always been a greater demand for surgery than we can meet, leading to long waiting times.

“With social distancing requirements in place over the last 18 months, as well as reduced theatre availability, our ophthalmology patients have inevitably needed to wait longer than we’d wish for a procedure.”

Patients are also able to access the unit direct from the car park without needing to walk through the main hospital building.

“All of us at ModuleCo take great pride in our continued partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and supporting them to deliver specialised care to their communities," said sales and marketing director for ModuleCo and project sponsor, Jonathan Brindley.

“The feedback from the surgical team when using the facility is excellent and I know they have been very keen to use the new theatre suite since we first started discussions last December.

“It is pleasing to see that we have been able to deliver upon what was originally promised in terms of timescales, quality and the permanent feel and performance of the final build.”

The opthalmic suite is part of Musgrove 2030, which is a programme that aims to transform the hospital facilities.

Matthew Bryant, chief operating officer at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (hospital services), added: “The new ophthalmic theatre suite is a very important part of our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a permanent dedicated day surgery theatre for eye surgery in Taunton and we are pleased to be able to offer patients a more positive experience in a better environment.

“The additional capacity created by the new ophthalmic theatre suite, along with the hub for macular and glaucoma care introduced this year at Chard Hospital, will also help to reduce waiting times.”