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Chelsea and Westminster Hospital opens two new children’s operating theatres

22 September 2011

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has this week opened two new state-of-the-art children’s operating theatres—one of which includes a revolutionary ventilation system being used for the first time in the UK that will reduce the risk of infection to young patients.

Photo (above): Theatre staff in one of the new theatres

Photo (right): Mr Elliot Benjamin (Ear, Nose & Throat Consultant) performs a procedure in one of the new theatres

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has this week opened two new state-of-the-art children’s operating theatres—one of which includes a revolutionary ventilation system being used for the first time in the UK that will reduce the risk of infection to young patients.

The state-of-the-art hoodless Ultra Clean Ventilation (UCV) system creates a funnel of clean air around the patient without the need for a hood—this means the ventilation system can sit flush with the ceiling, reducing the infection control risk for the patient.

The opening of the two new theatres, together with a new paediatric surgical admissions and pre-assessment area, marks the completion of the first phase of a brand new £45 million children’s hospital at Chelsea and Westminster.

Mr Simon Eccles, Consultant Craniofacial Plastic Surgeon and Clinical Director of Paediatrics, said the opening of the new theatres would benefit thousands of children and young people living not only in the local area but also throughout the South of England.

Mr Eccles said: “Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a pioneer in the field of keyhole surgery for children and a lead centre for specialist children’s and neonatal surgery, so the new theatres will enable us to build on this.

“Minimally invasive surgery is proven to reduce levels of pain and improve recovery times and we are excited about how the children and young people we care for will benefit from the new facilities.

“The opening of the new theatres is just the beginning for this fantastic development. We are creating a world-leading children’s hospital, which will offer cutting edge technology and the best possible care for patients, provided by some of the UK’s best medical staff.

“The new hospital will offer enhanced neonatal and paediatric services, housed in world-class facilities, and will also be an international centre for training the next generation of specialist paediatric medical staff.”

The new children’s hospital, which is due to be completed in 2012, will include:

  • Four new paediatric operating theatres (including the two opened this week) with state-of-the-art equipment and telemedicine facilities
  • An extended Paediatric High Dependency Unit for the most sick or unwell children
  • New admission and pre-operation areas and a day surgery unit
  • A new adolescent ward
  • Revamped children's wards
  • The first children’s surgery robot in the south of England which will enable keyhole surgery to be provided for children—a fundraising appeal is currently underway to raise £1.5 million for the robot and donations can be made at www.theplutoappeal.com

The Children’s Sunshine Appeal aims to raise £5 million for the new children’s hospital (including £1.5 million to be raised to pay for the surgical robot through The Pluto Appeal—please visit www.justgiving.com/childrenssunshineappeal to donate.

Further information: Renae McBride (Communications Manager) 020 3315 6829