AYR Hospital is set to be home of a brand new state of the art operating theatre with 4K camera equipment to significantly improve precision in surgery.

The advanced technology system promises quicker operating times, better patient experience and improved staff health and wellbeing.

The Ultra High Definition camera platform will be the first of its kind in Scotland, based at University Hospital Ayr (UHA). It offers four times the resolution of High Definition which provides greater visibility.

In addition to the 4K theatre, UHA’s newly refurbished Theatre 2 is now fully integrated, meaning different equipment and systems that usually do not communicate with each other are all controlled by a single device at the touch of a button. This means different computers systems, such as for patient information, X-rays and video can be accessed from one device.

The theatre was installed by medical technology firm, Olympus. Senior Product Manager for Systems Integration at Olympus, David Gillett, said: “We’re proud to install Scotland’s first 4K integrated theatre in NHS Ayrshire & Arran for the benefit of the local population. Offering the very best environment for their clinical team, the brand new theatre provides significant benefits including improved efficiency and patient and staff experience.”

Theatre charge nurse Susan Ward added: “It’s such a nice, clean and fresh working environment, and it has really enhanced staff morale, as well as staff health and wellbeing.

“The theatre is much more comfortable and ergonomic for the surgeons and the image quality of the 4K surgical camera system is second to none. And having the glass feature wall means patients are more engaged and relaxed before surgery too.”

Professor Majid Ali, Clinical Director of Surgical Specialties and Consultant in General and Upper GI Surgery, University Hospital Ayr has been the driving force behind the project. He said: “It is an exciting time for us. Our new integrated theatre has opened Ayrshire and Arran up to exceptional opportunities. It means we are more appropriately equipped as a centre for training in laparoscopic surgery. It enables us to teach and share medical knowledge nationally and internationally, putting NHS Ayrshire & Arran on the map.

“It will significantly improve our ability to recruit and retain high quality surgeons, theatre staff and trainees. All of this means we are better able to benefit the health and wellbeing of the people of Ayrshire, Arran and beyond.”

The work was partly funded by the Ayrshire & Arran Health Board Endowment Fund.