The unit, at County Hospital, Stafford will provide colorectal, upper gastroenterology, orthopaedic or ear nose and throat surgery, freeing more space at the main theatres at County Hospital and at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

The purpose-built unit has almost doubled capacity from the existing 15 beds on Ward 8 to 28 and has been funded from NHS England's Targeted Investment Fund.

Dr Simon Constable, UHNM chief executive, said: ‘We are extremely pleased to be able to open this fantastic purpose-built unit, enhancing County Hospital's reputation as a hub for low-complexity elective procedures. By further improving and extending our surgical facilities at County Hospital, we will be able to offer thousands of patients each year with quicker access to day-case surgery, helping to improve their quality of life whilst reducing waiting lists.'

The official launch, carried out by Leigh Ingham MP for Stafford, followed the recent opening of the Staffordshire Treatment Suite and North Midlands Hand Centre at County Hospital and is the latest stage of transforming the hospital into an ‘elective-hub' meaning patients will be seen quicker at the hospital most appropriate for their needs.