Operating Theatres

There are 22 Operating Theatres within the Theatre Division of Sunderland Royal Hospital. Located over three floors on C, D and F Levels. 

C Level consists of eight theatres covering a wide range of surgical specialities including General Surgery, ENT, Oral/Max Fax, Urology and Bariatric Surgery. Two of our theatres are dedicated digital theatres and we have one a state-of-the-art vascular theatre. There is also a 24 hour theatre that is dedicated to emergency surgery.

D Level consists of nine theatres covering Orthopaedic Trauma, Orthopaedic Elective Surgery and Gynaecology. Five of the theatres on D level have specialised laminar flow ventilation systems, imperative for joint replacement surgery.

Some surgical procedures can be performed using regional anaesthesia, such as upper or lower limb surgery,  hip, knee and hand surgery as well as other specialities where needed, as either the sole form of anaesthesia, or as an accompaniment.  The dedicated Block Room on D Level will provide this service.

There are another two theatres in a separate wing of the hospital which are specialist urology theatres (with the facility for extensive robotic-assisted surgery).

F Level provides two specialised Paediatric theatres.

The Theatre Team consists of Anaesthetists, Registered General Nurses, Operating Department Practitioners and Theatre Support Workers, who provide high quality, safe care for patients throughout their theatre journey.

Following surgery patients are transferred to recovery areas where skilled Nurses and ODP’s closely monitor patients to ensure that they have recovered sufficiently to be transferred to the ward or the Day Case Unit where they will be cared for until discharged home.

Durham Treatment Centre (DTC)

Our new Durham Treatment Centre (DTC) opened its door to patients on Monday 2nd July 2018 and is situated just outside of the city centre. Thousands of patients across Durham and the surrounding areas will be able to access specialist care locally at the new state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment centre.

The DTC will provide a specialist hub for patients in the Durham area who have previously had to travel to Sunderland, Bishop Auckland, Shotley Bridge and Sacriston for their care. It will also see the Trust’s renal dialysis service move from its current premises in University Hospital of North Durham into the new purpose-built environment.

The 2,500sqm facility on Belmont Industrial Estate has been designed to give patients in the local area better access to key specialist services.

Services will include day case surgery from a range of surgical specialties.