Hartlepool hospital's operating theatre is back open after £300,000 investment

Theatre Number One, which carries out orthopaedic operations, was closed temporarily in October.

Hospital chiefs have confirmed it is now back open after the revamp which has included new lighting, flooring, heating, improved ventilation and increased electrical safety measures.

The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust says the work was a ‘major investment’ and part of its continued investment in the Holdforth Road site.

The trust has also scotched recent questions on social media of knee replacement surgery was only being carried out at North Tees hospital in Stockton and fears that orthopaedics were to be closed at Hartlepool.

Chris Tulloch, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Deputy Medical Director and Orthopaedic Surgeon, said: “Theatre Number One at the University Hospital of Hartlepool is back open after it’s £300,000 revamp and patients are benefiting from the updated surgical facilities.

“There is no truth to any claims that knee replacement operations are only taking place at the University Hospital of North Tees nor do we have any plans to wind down orthopaedic operations at Hartlepool.”

The theatre carries out treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, primarily foot and hand operations, as well as joint and spinal surgery.

Bosses say the university Hospital of hartlepool site is ‘hugely-important’ and ‘plays a key role in the service’ provided by the trust.

Mr Tulloch earlier said of the work on the hospital site: “We’re continuing our investment in University Hospital of Hartlepool.

“It’s a hugely-important hospital and plays a key role in the service we provide to the public.

“While Operating Theatre Number One has always met the required standard, we wanted to make further improvements so we could get more out of the facility and more operations.

The renovation was funded solely by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill previously welcomed the investment saying: “This is a positive sign that, despite all the pressures on the NHS, our local hospital is here to stay.”