$16.25 million in funding has been secured to build a new advanced hybrid operating theatre, enabling patients at Wellington Regional Hospital to receive quicker, safer, and more sophisticated surgical treatment.
A hybrid operating theatre is a specialised surgical environment that integrates advanced imaging technology with conventional surgical facilities.
This setup enables multi-disciplinary teams to perform complex procedures, such as trauma care, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology, in a single location, eliminating the need to transfer patients between operating rooms and imaging areas.
“Currently, patients in Wellington are being transferred between operating theatres and interventional suites, which can create delays and extend recovery times for patients,” Health Minister Simeon Brown said.
“The new $16.25 million hybrid theatre directly addresses those challenges, delivering the highest standard of care in a single, seamless environment.”
It will take the place of the existing setup, where a patient might have to be treated by two separate teams in different rooms, Brown said.
“By consolidating care in one space, Wellington Regional Hospital will be able to increase its surgical output, allowing more patients to receive timely, quality treatment.”
“By eliminating duplication, improving surgical workflows, and giving clinicians the tools they need to work efficiently, we are strengthening healthcare delivery across the region,” he added.