A fundraising campaign for a new state-of-the-art operating theatre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) has hit the half-a-million pounds mark.

The major milestone for the  Super Theatre Appeal  comes just six months after the  appeal was launched  by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has secured £5.1m of national NHS funds to build the new ‘super theatre’ but needs to raise the remaining £1.4m to equip it with the cutting-edge equipment that will revolutionise surgery for thousands of patients across Devon.

The charity is now calling on continued community support to raise the £900,000 still needed to complete this vital project.

The new ‘Super Theatre’ is currently being built above the Emergency Department at the RD&E. Once open, it will enable 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.

Hannah Travers, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the RD&E, said ultra-modern equipment would provide an enhanced level of surgical precision and lifesaving care for patients across Devon, not only those living in the Exeter area.

“This theatre will revolutionise the type of procedures we can carry out, providing excellent care for more patients across the region,” she said.

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

– Hannah Travers, Consultant Vascular Surgeon

“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, Royal Devon Hospitals Charity Community Fundraiser, said: “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 a months to help make this exciting project a reality.

This incredible support shows what we can achieve together — but we can’t stop now.

– Debbie Allen, RDHC Community Fundraiser

“We’ve still got quite a way to go to hit our £1.4m target. But every donation, large or small, will bring us closer to delivering this life-changing facility for thousands of patients across Devon.

“We’re hoping more individuals, businesses, and community groups will rally behind this appeal so we can complete this extraordinary project and change lives.”

“If you’d like to find out more or support our fundraising appeal, please visit the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity website or get in touch.”

You can read more information about the Super Theatre Appeal  here.