The Bigbury Orthopaedic Surgical Suite at Derriford Hospital is officially open, marking the completion of Nevada Construction’s largest healthcare project to date. This transformative £13.5 million development, delivered over 52 weeks, has expanded the hospital’s capacity for orthopaedic care, reducing waiting times and improving access to life-changing surgeries.
🏥 Project Overview
Located on Level 2 of Derriford Hospital, the new suite has transformed what was once a hospital kitchen into a cutting-edge orthopaedic surgical facility. The suite includes:
- Three state-of-the-art operating theatres specifically designed for orthopaedic procedures
- Nine recovery rooms to support post-operative care
- Ancillary spaces, including theatre stores, medical staff offices, and rest areas
The facility is equipped with advanced technology such as a UCV (Ultra Clean Ventilation) system and air source heat pumps, ensuring both superior air quality and energy efficiency.
🚧 Working in a Live Hospital Environment
Delivering a project of this scale in one of the hospital’s busiest areas required meticulous planning. The hospital remained fully operational throughout the construction period, which posed challenges related to logistics, safety, and maintaining uninterrupted patient care.
Key strategies included:
- Strategic scheduling to minimise disruption to hospital operations
- Innovative mechanical and electrical system installations without service interruptions
- Continuous coordination with hospital teams to adapt to evolving needs
✂️ Official Opening Ceremony Highlights
The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by healthcare leaders, staff, and project partners. Some standout moments included:
- Speeches from hospital leadership, including Mr. Rathan Yarlagadda, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Elective Orthopaedic Recovery, who highlighted the suite’s impact on reducing waiting times and improving patient care
- A symbolic ribbon-cutting performed by a patient, underscoring the suite’s role in transforming lives
- A team photo under the new Bigbury signage, celebrating the collective effort behind the project
- Refreshments, including an NHS-themed cake, adding to the celebratory atmosphere
❤️ Impact on Patient Care
The suite has already made a significant difference:
- Increased surgical capacity allows for a higher volume of procedures each day
- Reduced waiting times for critical surgeries such as hip and knee replacements
- Improved patient pathways streamline the surgical and recovery process
“The introduction of the Bigbury Orthopaedic Surgical Suite has greatly enhanced our capacity for orthopaedic surgery. This state-of-the-art unit, combined with improved patient pathways, will allow us to perform more procedures daily, significantly improving access to care for our patients.”
