Temporary Operating Theatre Works

Building work is underway to put in place a temporary operating theatre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The construction works, in the area next to the Arthur South Day Procedure Unit (DPU), will mean parts of the covered walkway in front of the DPU will be fenced off from the evening of Wednesday 10 March.

Vehicles will be prohibited from parking in this area for the duration of the works and until delivery of the modular theatre on Monday 29 March 2004.

The operation of the WRVS shop will be unaffected for the entire period, although some disruption may be experienced on the surrounding pathways in this area.

The temporary operating theatre is being introduced to help deal with a theatre workload that has been increasing by up to five per cent a year. The hospital currently has 26 operating theatres.

Plans are under discussion to build a permanent theatre extension to the front of the theatre block of the hospital and the temporary theatre would allow the hospital to keep operating capacity running while construction goes on.

The end of April will also see a 64 square metre room dropped in by crane to the main theatre block in an area that is currently a third-floor courtyard. The room will provide much-needed rest facilities for operating theatre staff.

Media contact: Andrew Stronach on 01603 287200.