The system, called Nexus, is part of a multi-million pound project which is being funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

“The new system will bring significant benefits to both patients and clinical staff, providing improved efficiency and effectiveness of scheduling of theatre slots,” says Margaret Kelly, Director of Acute Care with the Western Trust.

The first specialty to go live was ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and the new system will be rolled out across all theatres and all surgical specialties (Main, Day-Case & DESU) in Altnagelvin over the coming months.

Following implementation in Altnagelvin Area Hospital, it is expected that the system will be implemented in Erne and Tyrone County Hospitals later this year.

Using Nexus, the whole patient episode will be recorded in one place. It can also be used as a resource manager, so staff or equipment can be monitored. Its touch screen facility will help make theatre management much more effective.

Mrs Kelly added: “The system will link all theatres across Northern Ireland for the first time and allow us to optimize the use of our theatres both in the Western Trust and across the region.”