Some of the RD&E Operating Department Practitioners who will be taking part in a sponsored skydive in support of the Super Theatre Appeal
Superhero hospital staff are taking to the skies to raise money for a new state-of-the-art operatating theatre being built at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).
A 20-strong team of Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) from the hospital will be swapping scrubs for flight suits when they take part in a tandem skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton on June 1.
They hope to raise around £4,000 towards the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity (RDHC) Super Theatre Appeal.
Clinical ODP Manager Lee Galvin said: “We’re all really passionate about the work we do in theatres and we’re excited about the future of our department with the super theatre being built.
“This theatre will revolutionise the type of procedures we can safely carry out, providing excellent care for more patients across the region.
This is worth throwing ourselves out of a plane for!
– Lee Galvin, Clinical ODP Manager
The new state-of-the-art operating theatre is currently being built above the new Emergency Department at the RD&E. Once open, it will enable the RD&E to provide an enhanced level of surgical precision and lifesaving care for patients across Devon, not only those living in the Exeter area.
Ultra-modern equipment will allow clinicians to perform complex procedures and diagnostic imaging at the same time, reducing the need for open surgery, multiple operations and travel out of area.
For patients, this will mean fewer procedures, reduced risk of complications, faster recovery times after surgery, and less time in hospital.
The additional theatre space will enable the RD&E to provide operations for an extra 1,200 patients a year, reducing waiting times for everyone, including cancer patients.
Debbie Allen, RDHC Community Fundraiser, said the charity had raised £465,000 since launching the appeal in October last year.
“The NHS has contributed £5.1m of national funds to build the new theatre but we are raising the money needed for the advanced operating equipment that will make this theatre a super theatre,” she said.
“With a fundraising target of £1.4m, the Super Theatre Appeal is one of our biggest-ever fundraising initiatives so we’re thrilled that staff from the hospitals theatres team are lending their support to help make this special project a reality.
“This game-changing new facility will do so much for patients across Devon and we’re determined to make it happen. If you’d like to find out more or support our fundraising appeal, or maybe even do a skydive yourself, please visit our website or get in touch.
For more information about the Super Theatre Appeal, click here.
