A LEADING private hospital in the North-East is investing more than £1m in expanding services as it marks its 20th anniversary.

Over those two decades, Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, grew to become one of the most successful medical centres in the BMI Healthcare national network, which was recently sold to Circle Healthcare.

The hospital was built by a consortium of consultants in 2001, and it is now looking to the future, with a continuing investment in robotics surgery and enhanced facilities.

Debbie Dobbs, who became the hospital’s executive director in September 2007, said: “It has already been a phenomenal ride, and these are really exciting times for the hospital.”

The Northern Echo:

When Debbie took over as Executive Director 14 years ago, The Woodlands had two clean-air theatres, but she has overseen a dramatic expansion. A new ambulatory care theatre was added five years ago, and another – dedicated to ophthalmology – is now being created by dividing the existing imaging department.

“It gives us far more capacity that ever before, meaning we can treat more patients, and provide greater support in helping the NHS with the backlog of operations that have inevitably built up during the pandemic,” she added.

Back in 2007, 1,950 cases a year were going through the hospital, but that rose to approximately 8,500 by 2020, with 122 consultants on the books – and the good news is that the momentum is to continue with the continuing investment.

In the summer of 2019, Woodlands entered a new era by introducing the Stryker Mako robot, designed to revolutionise joint replacement surgery. The Stryker Mako’s phenomenal success is now being followed with the introduction of the state-of-the-art Smith & Nephew robot, specialising in knee and hip replacements.

“We are the only North-East hospital in the private sector offering robotic surgery at this level and the results are amazing,” said Debbie. “We are seeing patients going home the same day as their operation.

“As well as developing our facilities, the key to our success has been the quality of the team of staff and consultants we have. Some have been with us throughout the 20-year journey, so they have great experience, while a number of exciting new Consultants have joined the team, giving us the perfect blend of the generations.

“Being a proud part of the largest independent provider of health care in the UK gives us great security and the confidence to go on looking to improve, so here’s to the next 20 years!”