The opening of Theatre Five means Forté Health can offer 1800 more surgeries a year - a 25% increase on its current capacity.
The expansion at the Peterborough St hospital has also enabled Forté to hire 17 new healthcare workers and engage six new surgeons across multiple specialties including general, orthopaedics, urology and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT).
“‘It is a real privilege and an unexpected treat to be the first surgeon in the new operating theatre.
“Forté has always been a brilliant place to work but I’m truly honoured, I’m excited to learn and grow in this new space and can’t wait to see how it benefits our team and those we serve,” Timms says.
Current credentialled surgeons have also been able to extend their surgery lists, increasing capacity in plastics, orthopaedics and urology – all specialties that have experienced demand pressure recently.
“It’s no secret our health system is struggling to manage the surgical needs of our community, and its future is reliant on investment across numerous layers, including the private sector.
“The demand justifies the financial investment for the health of Cantabrians. Every patient that is cared for in a private facility is one fewer patient that needs care in the public sector,” Woodhouse says.
Woodhouse says the new theatre will be busy from day one and expects the theatre to be fully optimised by mid-year.
“Despite the opening of our fifth theatre today, we will very quickly be full again because the demand for theatre space and time is extremely high.
“We don’t believe the Forté precinct is complete, and we are working on plans for additional investment into Canterbury’s health sector to better support our growing population and increasing complexity of healthcare needs,” Woodhouse says.
