Scotland’s first state-of-the-art 4K operating theatre is up and running and it’s in NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s University Hospital Ayr (UHA).
A 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) camera platform offers four times the resolution of High Definition (HD) improving visibility and allowing for more precision in surgery.
Not only that, the newly refurbished Theatre 2 is now fully integrated (one of only four in Scotland), meaning different equipment and systems that usually do not communicate with each other are all controlled by a single device at the touch of a button. This means different computers systems, such as for patient information, X-rays and video can be accessed from one device.
The theatre was installed by medical technology firm, Olympus. Senior Product Manager for Systems Integration at Olympus, David Gillett, said: “We’re proud to install Scotland’s first 4K integrated theatre in NHS Ayrshire & Arran for the benefit of the local population. Offering the very best environment for their clinical team, the brand new theatre provides significant benefits including improved efficiency and patient and staff experience.”
The advanced technology of the integrated theatre system means the theatre team will be able to work much more efficiently in many different ways. It should mean quicker operating times, a better experience for patients undergoing surgery and improved staff health and wellbeing.
Susan Ward, Charge Nurse, Main Theatres, University Hospital Ayr added: “It’s such a nice, clean and fresh working environment, and it has really enhanced staff morale, as well as staff health and wellbeing.
"The theatre is much more comfortable and ergonomic for the surgeons and the image quality of the 4K surgical camera system is second to none. And having the glass feature wall means patients are more engaged and relaxed before surgery too.”
Professor Majid Ali, Clinical Director of Surgical Specialties and Consultant in General and Upper GI Surgery, University Hospital Ayr has been the driving force behind the project.
He said: "It is an exciting time for us. Our new integrated theatre has opened Ayrshire and Arran up to exceptional opportunities. It means we are more appropriately equipped as a centre for training in laparoscopic surgery. It enables us to teach and share medical knowledge nationally and internationally, putting NHS Ayrshire & Arran on the map.
“It will significantly improve our ability to recruit and retain high quality surgeons, theatre staff and trainees. All of this means we are better able to benefit the health and wellbeing of the people of Ayrshire, Arran and beyond."
The work to integrate the existing theatre was partly funded by the Charity Fund (Ayrshire & Arran Health Board Endowment Fund) and started in September 2018. It was completed in December 2018 and has been fully functioning since then.