The first Crewe and Nantwich patients have been treated at the newly unveiled operating theatres and critical care unit at Leighton Hospital.
Patients in intensive care or on the high dependency unit have been transferred into the new £22.8 million facilities.
And the first operations took place on April 28.
The project, backed by Government funding of £21.69million, includes 14 critical care bays and eight operating theatres.
They replace facilities which were in place when the hospital first opened in 1971.
The new building is integrated with the hospital’s existing treatment centre which will be refurbished.
New individual bed bays are separated by walls of ‘blink glass’ which can be turned from clear to opaque for patient privacy.
There are sky ceiling photo panels above patient beds, which display images of blue skies, white clouds and blossom trees.
There are also two isolation bays which help improve infection prevention and control.
There is also a dedicated room for relatives to discuss patients’ conditions with staff.
Dr Susan Gilby, associate medical director and clinical lead for the project, said: “With this move into the brand new unit, you can already see the improvements coming through.
“We have gone from a dark, cramped area to a light, bright and airy environment with plenty of space that benefits both patients and staff alike.
“We’ve been able to include a number of features which not only look impressive but are proven to help lower patient anxiety and ultimately aid their recovery.”
The eight new, state-of-the-art operating theatres feature touch screens which allow surgeons and their staff to control every aspect of the operating environment.
Dr Gilby added: “With all of the advances that we’ve been able to include in our new theatres, we will be able to treat more patients and provide them with a better experience before, during and after surgery.
“Surgeons will be able to adapt their operating environments to perfection with just a few touches of our new control screens, while the new Barn Theatres are a perfect example of how we are using the new facilities to improve the ways in which we work.”
Tracy Bullock, Chief Executive of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The project has been years in the planning and it is brilliant that we are finally able to offer these further improvements in care to our local community.”
I had the pleasure in being able to see the new Critical Care Unit and theatres prior to it opening. They are superb, cutting edge and a feather in the cap for Leighton Hospital. Not only providing first class facilities on going for patient care but also securing long term employment for the area and enhancing Leighton Hospital as a key component in the area’s healthcare provision, now equipped for the future. Well done to all those involved in the project.