Bowen Hospital’s new operating theatre meets demand as COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions ease

A new specialised operating theatre at Bowen Hospital is now operational and will support the Wellington community to meet the backlog of cases as Covid-19 Alert restrictions levels are lowered.

Elective surgeries will now utilise the advanced theatre, and three existing surgical theatres at Bowen Hospital with governance from the Ministry of Health, the local District Health Board, and specialist college and societies guidelines.

The theatre is one of the first integrated facilities in New Zealand offering the latest breakthroughs in medical technology, including advanced imaging capabilities that go beyond clear and concise higher image resolution.

Dorothy Shaw, General Manager of Bowen Hospital, says the completion of the theatre is in line with the hospital’s commitment to meet the increased needs of the wider Wellington community, particularly during this challenging time.

“We know it has been difficult for our patients and their families who have been waiting for surgery. Our new theatre means additional operating capacity as our surgical teams begin to operate more frequently, and tackle a backlog of surgical cases,” said Ms Shaw.

“With a total of four theatres at the ready, we have the capacity to meet the demands of our surrounding region.”

Ms Shaw said the community now has access to the latest in medical technology with the introduction of fluorescence imaging, a game changer in active surgery.

“The new imaging technologies means a surgeon can see live blood perfusion, tumour margins, lymphatics and other critical anatomical structures through the press of a button. It’s quite amazing.”

Bowen Hospital, operated by Acurity Health Group, has undergone a number of major developments since 2009.

The new theatre at Bowen comes at a time of significant investment for Acurity Health Group, with the Wakefield Hospital redevelopment in Wellington, Royston Hospital developments including a new private Orthopaedic Day Surgery Unit in Hawkes Bay, and developments at Grace Hospital, Tauranga.

About Acurity

One of New Zealand’s leading private providers of healthcare services, Acurity Health Group owns and operates Wakefield and Bowen Hospitals in Wellington, and Royston Hospital in Hawke’s Bay.

With a partnership with Icon Group based in Brisbane, Australia, Acurity also delivers private oncology services at Bowen Icon Cancer in Wellington.

They also have investments in Endoscopy Auckland, Grace Hospital Tauranga, Proactive, and Birthcare Auckland.

As well as the developments in Royston, Acurity is also expanding facilities at Wakefield and Bowen Hospitals in Wellington.

Acurity has also opened a new mental health clinic in Parnell Auckland - Re-centre. There are plans to progressively roll out similar centres across the country.

Acurity aims to be the preferred provider of private healthcare services, chosen by leading specialists, major health insurers, patients and their families. This is demonstrated through Acurity’s commitment to developing and growing their hospitals and continuously investing in the latest technology, while being a leader in their sector.