A practice in Leicestershire is now offering surgery for patients with certain types of hernia, following the opening of a £62,000 operating theatre.

The County Practice in Syston, which treats patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR), is the only one in the area to offer the service, which has been made possible through its own investment, as well as funding from Charnwood Borough Council and a housing company, which is building a housing development in the area. Patients anywhere in the LLR area can opt to be treated at the Wilson Theatre Suite.

GP Dr Gareth Chidlow said: “We are really proud of our new operating theatre; we can now offer hernia surgery under local anaesthetic and for many patients it avoids the need to travel into one of the main Leicester hospitals. In future there’s also the potential for further procedures to be carried out here, as we have both preoperative and recovery rooms and that is something we are really excited about.”

The service is provided through the LLR Alliance, a partnership of health organisations that is designed to offer patients more choice about when and where they receive day-case and outpatient treatment.

Helen Mather, LLR alliance director, said: “This new operating theatre is a fantastic example of what the Alliance is all about – offering patients more choice about where and when they can receive their diagnosis, treatment and the aftercare. We offer diagnostics, outpatient services and day-case surgery in community hospitals and in an increasing number of GP practices across LLR.”