The theatres will help reduce surgery waiting times and meet increasing demand for elective procedures and emergency care.

Trust chief executive, Angela Stevenson, said: ‘This new capital funding from NHS England will be truly transformative for the future of our hospital and our patients, especially those who need an operation. In the midst of some tough financial decisions, this is a really positive step-change in how we deliver for our patients.'

Work on the East Surrey Hospital site in Redhill is expected to begin later this year.