Community raises half a million for RD&E

A major fundraising appeal for a new state-of-the-art surgical theatre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has passed the £500,000 mark.

The Super Theatre Appeal, launched just six months ago by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, aims to raise £1.4 million to help equip a new high-tech facility being built above the Emergency Department at the RD&E.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has already secured £5.1 million in national NHS funding for construction. But the remaining £1.4 million is needed to kit out the new space with advanced surgical and diagnostic equipment.

Once complete, the so-called "super theatre" will enable medics to carry out complex procedures and imaging at the same time - cutting down on open surgery, unnecessary operations, and long journeys out of county.

Consultant Vascular Surgeon Hannah Travers said: “This theatre will revolutionise the type of procedures we can carry out, providing excellent care for more patients across the region.

For patients, it will mean fewer procedures, reduced risk of complications, faster recovery times after surgery, and less time in hospital.”

The theatre will also allow clinicians to perform 1,200 more operations each year, reducing waiting times for all patients — including those receiving cancer treatment.

Debbie Allen, Community Fundraiser at Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, praised the public response so far, “This is one of our biggest-ever fundraising initiatives so we’re thrilled to see the local community get behind this appeal and raise more than £500,000 in just a matter of months,” she said. “This incredible support shows what we can achieve together — but we can’t stop now.”

The charity is now calling for businesses, individuals and community groups to help raise the remaining £900,000 needed to complete the project.

To donate or find out more about the Super Theatre Appeal, click here.