THE HEALTH Minister Steve Barclay has visited the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby to learn more about its expanding services.
Mr Barclay met with representatives from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, which has committed to invest in and develop the Rugby site – particularly through the growth of elective services – over the next 10 to 15 years.
He visited the new Endoscopy Unit, which is set to treat up to 50 patients per day and provide quicker, more efficient access to vital diagnostic procedures – saving patients a journey to University Hospital Coventry.
The Minister then met staff in theatres who are using a MAKO robotic arm to help perform knee and hip replacements for those with osteoarthritis, as part of collaborative studies designed to compare the precision of traditional surgery to that of a surgical robot.
He ended his tour with a visit to Rugby Urgent Treatment Centre, which cares for more than 25,000 patients over the age of five with minor illnesses and injuries a year.
Mr Barclay said: “It was great to see first-hand the investment we and UHCW NHS Trust are making in new NHS technology and facilities at the Hospital of St Cross.
“The MAKO robot is helping to deliver more precise surgeries and quicker recoveries, while the new Endoscopy Unit will help patients get diagnosed and treated faster.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff and teams working so hard to deliver high quality patient care.”
He was joined by Rugby MP Mark Pawsey and County Councillor Yousef Dahmash, who referred to their recent survey showing an overwhelming desire by Rugby residents for more extensive urgent treatment services at St Cross.
Mr Pawsey said: “I remain committed to campaigning for an enhanced provision for urgent and emergency care in Rugby. It was good to be able to be speak with the Health Secretary about the importance of securing doctor-led urgent care services in Rugby as our town has grown.
“I am encouraged by the recognition from UHCW NHS Trust that more services can be offered at Rugby, as the recent investment has demonstrated, and I will continue to work to deliver even more investment at St Cross.”
The Trust’s Chief Executive Professor Andy Hardy said: “We are committed to offering more services in Rugby for the people of the town and surrounding areas.
“We were very pleased to welcome the Secretary of State to the Hospital of St Cross and offer him the opportunity to see some of our exciting developments first-hand and showcase the exceptional care our staff provide on a daily basis.”
Other developments and investments at St Cross include the £1million Maple Unit for cancer and blood disorders, the opening of a specialist breast care unit, a new ultrasound suite for outpatients, and the modular build of two new theatres to expand surgical capacity.
