The welcoming £1.3 million space is expected to open this summer, and means patients across mid- and south Essex needing orthopaedic procedures which don’t need to be carried out in a theatre will be seen sooner. Those needing treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and minor foot, elbow, and upper limb issues, will benefit from the new room.
Ayse Casey, Deputy director of Operations, Trauma and Orthopaedics, at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The room is a fantastic addition to Braintree Community Hospital, so patients coming to us for a simple procedure can be seen in a better environment. The new procedure room will free up our main theatres for more complex surgeries, such as knee and hip replacements, which means it will help reduce waiting times and improve access to care for our patients.”
Work is also underway on Braintree’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), which will be based at the same site. It will offer important diagnostic tests such as CT and MRI scans, ultrasounds, X-rays, blood tests, and heart and lung checks, helping local residents get quicker diagnoses and the treatment they need without having to travel as far.