Orthopaedic patient care transformed as procedure room officially opens
A new £1.3 million procedure room, which is the only accredited elective orthopaedic centre in the East of England, has officially opened at Braintree Community Hospital, doubling the number of patients that can be seen for orthopaedic care.
Since opening in June, more than 50 patients have already received treatment in the new facility, with it expected to see an extra 1,500 patients a year.
This presents a major step forward in improving access to elective care in mid and south Essex and supports the Trust’s ongoing efforts to reduce waiting times and enhance the overall patient experience across the region.
Its official opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, fittingly the scissors doing the cutting were held by the procedure room’s first patient, Zoe Moore, from Stifford Clays in Grays, who had carpal tunnel surgery.
Also attending was Sir James Cleverly, MP for Braintree and Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who welcomed the major investment in local healthcare services.
He said: “This new facility is a fantastic addition to health provision here in Braintree. It will mean that local people can be treated more quickly and closer to home. It also frees up surgical capacity in nearby general hospitals, which is a benefit for everyone across the county.”
Designed specifically for treatments that don’t need a full operating theatre – such as carpal tunnel release, trigger finger surgery, and minor foot, elbow and upper limb procedures – the new room provides a modern environment tailored to the needs of both patients and clinical teams.
Ayse Casey, Deputy Director of Operations for Trauma and Orthopaedics at the Trust, said: “Our new procedure room is already making a real difference to patients. It allows us to carry out treatments more quickly, in a setting that's designed for comfort and efficiency. By moving simpler procedures out of our main theatres, we’re freeing up space for more complex surgeries – helping to reduce orthopaedic waiting times.”
Work is also underway on Braintree’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) which will be based at the same site.
The CDC, due to open in early 2026, will offer important diagnostic tests such as CT and MRI scans, ultrasounds, x-rays, blood tests, and heart and lung checks, helping local residents get quicker diagnoses and the treatment they need, without having to travel as far.