Fife's new £33m National Treatment Centre treats its first patients

The £33m facility hosts three operating theatres, a supporting inpatient ward and associated outpatient facilities, and becomes the first of a national network of new purpose-built National Treatment Centres, operated by a Health Board, to be completed and fully operational.

The new NTC – Fife Orthopaedics building is the largest capital project that NHS Fife has undertaken since the opening of phase 3 of the Victoria Hospital in 2012. Work commenced on the construction in March 2021 and the project has been delivered on budget.

Paul Gilhooley, from Kirkcaldy, was the first patient to be seen in the new facility, having undergone hip replacement surgery in the new centre yesterday morning (Monday, March 20). He received a pioneering surgical procedure which enables patients to be discharged in a day.

Mr Gilhooley said: ”The last few years have been frustrating, I have two young children and when you can’t participate, run about or play with them it’s difficult.

“Other activities like family walks with the dog have taken a step back too, so I’m looking forward to doing all of those things again and getting back to normality.

“This is the first time I’ve been in hospital - it didn’t sink in initially that I’d be the first patient when I got the call.

“The new NTC facility is lovely. It’s fresh and clean and you can see that there has been time spent and effort made to make people feel comfortable.”

In addition to seeing patients based in Fife, the new National Treatment Centre will also treat patients from neighbouring Health Board areas.

Chair of the Fife NHS Board, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick said: “I am truly delighted to see our National Treatment Centre open its doors to patients.

“The journey from the initial proposals to this point has taken a number of years and to see patients now being seen in such a new, state-of-the-art environment is fantastic.

Staff at the new National Treatment Centre based at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital site. (Image: NHS Fife)

"To see the project delivered successfully and on budget, particularly given the additional challenges of building during a pandemic, is a credit to all of those involved.

“We are fortunate here in Fife to have one of the most forward-thinking and innovative orthopaedic teams anywhere in the country and this new facility will support them to deliver the very highest standard of care for patients.”

Carol Potter, Chief Executive, NHS Fife added: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved from the project board to the project team who helped deliver such an amazing facility.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to the staff that worked incredibly hard today and made sure the first day went seamlessly.”

Staff at the specialist orthopaedics centre treated their first patients this week. (Image: NHS Fife)

Graham Construction were contracted to deliver the Fife Orthopaedic National Treatment Centre.

Chris MacLeod, Regional Director at Graham, said: “Successfully completing the first of the new purpose-built National Treatment Centres in Scotland is a proud moment for Graham.

“Despite several pressures caused by external factors including the global pandemic, our team came together with colleagues at NHS Fife to deliver an exceptional building.”