40,000 mobile theatre operations

UK - Launching the “world's most advanced mobile operating theatre”, at the annual scientific meeting of the British Association of Day Surgery, Gary King, Managing Director of Vanguard Healthcare predicted that, as from January 2004, over 40,000 NHS operations will be carried out in mobile theatres.

This, he said, would aid the NHS Trusts’ strategy in the face of tough Government day surgery targets and: ‘Because the units can operate anywhere in the UK at short notice they can also help to smooth out regional inequalities in healthcare.’

A fleet of 15 units are being developed by the firm, which include mobile eight-bed recovery wards that self-unload from low loaders on to hospital car parks. Arriving complete with nursing team, a unit contains a high tech operating room, anaesthesia facilities and recovery area and can receive patients within two hours of arrival at a site.

Mobile surgical units made by the firm have just completed their 10,500th surgical procedure. Details: phone +44 (0)1270 884067

01.07.2003

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