The investment is part of a national NHS Getting it Right First Time pilot that aims to demonstrate that carrying out planned orthopaedic operations at a separate hospital to emergency operations, benefits both sets of patients.
Where these changes have been introduced, both in east Kent and elsewhere in the country, waiting times have reduced and fewer operations have been cancelled.
Susan Acott, Chief Executive for East Kent Hospitals said: “This is a really exciting development that will help us treat more patients sooner and improve their care.
“Patients will have their planned joint operations in brand new, state of the art operating theatres and dedicated wards from next year which will improve the experience for both our patients and staff.”
Work to connect the theatres to the main hospital and renovate an additional orthopaedic ward is now underway. By next Spring, all patients needing planned inpatient orthopaedic operations will be cared for in new and improved facilities at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
Emergency operations will continue at QEQM Hospital, Margate and William Harvey Hospital, Ashford.
