Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay MP has visited the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby to learn more about ongoing investment in services and pioneering work being undertaken to further improve patient care.

The Secretary of State met with representatives from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, which has set out a clear commitment in its Organisational Strategy to continually develop the Rugby site, particularly through the growth of elective services, over the next 10 to 15 years.

Mr Barclay 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.

The Secretary of State then met staff in Theatres using a MAKO robotic arm to help perform knee and hip replacements for those with osteoarthritis as part of collaborative studies – known as RACER KNEE and RACER HIP – 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.

Steve Barclay said: Health and Social Care Secretary Steve 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, Rugby.

“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.”

In addition to the Endoscopy unit, developments and investments at the Hospital of St Cross include the £1 million Maple cancer and blood disorder Unit, the opening of a specialist breast care unit, a new ultrasound suite in outpatients and the modular build of two new theatres to expand surgical capacity.

A host of energy-saving measures, including solar panels, have also been installed thanks to a major Government grant.

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive at UHCW NHS Trust said: “As a Trust we are committed to being rooted in our communities and 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.”