A NEW £1million unit has opened at Fairfield General Hospital to provide specialist joint replacement surgery.

The Bury site will now provide the majority of elective operations, such as hip and knee replacements, for residents across North Manchester.

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Fairfield Hospital says the new ward will mean fewer cancellations and shorter waiting times.

In addition to the new arthroplasty unit, two theatres have been converted to provide ‘ultra clean air’ which is needed to carry out the procedures.

Clinical Director of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Richard Heasley, who is also Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the trust said: “The new state of the art arthroplasty unit is the largest within Manchester and means patients will now have improved outcomes following their

operations.

“In addition, there will be fewer cancellations and shorter waiting times for our patients.”

The unit will centralise elective joint replacement surgery for patients who live in the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust area and in the North East of Manchester.

Meanwhile, the dedicated elective orthopaedic unit will be the largest within Manchester and will meet national standards for orthopaedic surgery.

Trust bosses believe the investment will significantly reduce the number of cancellations due to a lack of beds while patients can also expect shorter waiting times.