A state-of-the-art Interventional Radiology Theatre Suite that will speed up recovery times for patients has opened at University Hospital, Coventry.

The £5.5 million facility is made up of imaging theatres and a seven bed-day case ward and is capable of delivering minimally invasive, image guided surgery that will see patients treated quickly, effectively and discharged much quicker compared to traditional surgery.

Dr Ian McCafferty, President of the British Society of Interventional Radiology, opened the suite with attendees including University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust Chair of the Trust Board Dame Stella Manzie, Chief Executive Officer Professor Andy Hardy and Chief Medical Officer Professor Kiran Patel.

Consultant Interventional Radiologist at UHCW, Dr Neil Gupta, said: “This is an incredible new facility for our patients who will be able to receive the most up to date procedures from world-leading experts, getting them back to better health more quickly.

"The facility was planned a while ago but, with the increased number of patients we need to see as we recover from the effects of the pandemic, its arrival and opening is very timely.

“The day case facility allows us to admit patients directly to the IR Suite without impacting on the main hospital inpatient beds and thus there is no risk of cancellation due to bed shortages.”

Interventional Radiology offers the opportunity for patients to have a much shorter stay in hospital, often just a day, through the use of minimally invasive procedures as an alternative to open surgery for conditions such as spinal stabilisation, insertion of stents into arteries or organs, and even targeted chemotherapy, mostly carried out under local anaesthetic.

Dr Gupta added: “We use X-rays and ultrasound to look inside patients while we operate through tiny holes in the skin, allowing us to manipulate wires and tubes to get to wherever we need to target treatment.

“This new unit provides a huge opportunity for us to revolutionise the way we respond to trauma and emergencies, as well as deliver day case procedures. We’re very proud and excited to be able to offer a vast array of procedures across medical and surgical disciplines in this world leading facility.”

For more information on Interventional Radiology, including treatment types and the benefits for patients, click here.