Construction Starts on New Elective Hub Theatres at City Hospital | Latest news

A £35 million scheme which aims to increase capacity and deliver high quality outcomes for patients undergoing elective (planned) surgery has reached an important milestone. Ground works have started and a 35.5 metre (116 ft) tower crane has been installed at the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) City Hospital site to progress the creation of a new elective hub.  Works include extending an existing building alongside the creation of a three-storey building.   

Funds for the scheme have come from the national Targeted Investment Fund (TIF) to support the reduction of patient waiting lists and cancelled operations following the Covid-19 pandemic, and in the wake of mounting operational pressures.

Once completed, the elective hub will include three operating theatres, an additional 24 elective in-patient beds and 18 day-case beds to support elective day-case surgery.  The dedicated facility will help to deliver NUH’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) ambitions, by increasing overall capacity and productivity and delivering high quality outcomes for patients undergoing planned surgery. 

Phase One of the elective hub, the additional 24 in-patient beds, is already in place and operational.  Over the last year works have progressed to prepare the City Hospital site for Phase Two, which has included the demolition of a Victorian building containing two old theatres. In its place the new facilities will include the three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 18 day-case beds, as well as a patient Reception Waiting Room.  Staff will also benefit from brand new office and seminar spaces, rest areas and new changing rooms.      

Duncan Hanslow, NUH Programme Director for Reconfiguration, said: "The new hub will give us the opportunity to continue to reduce the backlog of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire waiting for planned operations, as well as minimising the risk of cancellations.

“It will also provide a new, more efficient way of working for our elective theatres, as they will be located together within a purpose-built setting.

"We have worked extensively with stakeholders and colleagues across NUH to help design the new facilities. In addition to supporting the delivery of high quality, safe, efficient and effective care for patients, the hub will also provide an excellent working space for staff."

The new scheme aligns with NUH’s future vision for elective care - to create a centre of excellence at the City Hospital site, ensuring that these services can be accessed by all patients, when they need them.

The elective hub is expected to be completed in 2026.