Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool may temporarily relocate surgical procedures to a delivery bay to facilitate the refurbishment of existing operating theatres. The Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a planning application to Liverpool Council for a modular building to be installed in the current delivery and waste collection area for up to three years.
Temporary Operating Theatre Plans
The proposed development includes two modular units connected to the main hospital via a link corridor. The southern unit will house the operating theatre, complete with an anaesthetic room, recovery area, changing facilities, and clinical support spaces. The northern unit will provide staff welfare facilities, including a canteen, meeting room, and restrooms.
According to the design and access statement, the temporary facility has been "carefully arranged within the existing service yard to provide an efficient and functional relationship between the temporary facilities and the existing hospital building." The link corridor will offer a "safe, weather-protected and fully accessible route for patients and staff."
Patient Activity and Disruption
The application highlights that Aintree Hospital experiences high patient activity, with existing operating theatres in intensive use. It states: "In the absence of the proposed development, refurbishment works would be likely to result in disruption to hospital operations and patient procedures." The temporary buildings are intended to minimize such disruption during the refurbishment period.
The service yard is enclosed by hospital buildings ranging from one to five storeys, including office, laboratory, and clinical facilities. Access to a bin storage area is located at the northern end of the yard.
Next Steps
A date for Liverpool Council's planning officials to consider the application has not yet been confirmed. The trust expects the temporary structures to be removed once the refurbishment of the main operating theatres is completed.
