A new hybrid theatre - made possible by donors

Now operating in The Alfred Centre, the new hybrid theatre is having an immediate impact on better health outcomes, helping surgical teams deliver more precise, less invasive care for patients facing some of the most complex vascular conditions.

The theatre combines a traditional operating room with advanced imaging technology, allowing surgeons to perform image-guided and open surgical procedures in a single space and under a single anaesthetic.

For patients, that can mean fewer procedures, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. 

Through our 2023 Tax Appeal and the generosity of major donors, regular givers, trusts, foundations and bequest supporters, The Alfred Foundation raised more than $3.5 million towards the project. This included a formative donation from the Bottomley Research Fund, while there was also significant funding from The Alfred Whole Time Medical Specialists Trust.

Your contributions helped bring this long-held vision to life, funding the construct and fit-out of a world-class theatre equipped with advanced technology that will benefit patients for years to come. Already, about 100 patients have been treated since opening earlier this year.

For Head of Vascular Surgery, Professor Thodur Vasudevan, seeing the theatre now operating is a significant milestone.

“The support we’ve received from donors has helped us bring in technology that simply wasn’t available to us before,” he said. “The hybrid theatre has been something we’ve been working towards for a long time.

“To see it now open and helping patients is very rewarding. We’re thankful to everyone who contributed and helped get the project across the line.”

Prof Vasudevan says with the average age of patients steadily rising, a minimally invasive surgery means a faster recovery and ultimately better outcomes for all patients.

“A hybrid theatre plays a key role in this as it allows the combined open and endovascular treatment of difficult pathologies to occur at the same time, rather than patients needing multiple surgeries and a longer stay in hospital,” he said.

At the heart of the theatre is the C-arm: suspended from the ceiling, it delivers high-definition, three-dimensional images in real time. This means that surgeons can see exactly what is happening during a procedure and make critical decisions immediately.

Professor Wendy Brown, Surgical Services Program Director, says hybrid theatres represent the future of surgery.

“Having high-quality imaging on hand means we can operate with greater precision and, in many cases, avoid some of the large incisions that were once needed,” she said.

“So there’s less chance of complication and more chance of a shorter recovery.”

Together with the donor-funded Da Vinci robot, the Hybrid Theatre is helping keep The Alfred at the forefront of surgical innovation. 

The theatre goes beyond vascular surgery, supporting cardiac, thoracic, trauma, orthopaedic, oncology and neurological procedures. It also strengthens The Alfred’s ability to take part in advanced research and international clinical trials.

“We’re not talking about technology for technology’s sake,” Prof Vasudevan said.

“What matters is that it helps us look after our patients better.

“The generosity of donors has helped us create a theatre that will benefit patients for many years to come.”

Every patient who benefits from this technology is a reminder of what philanthropy can achieve. What was once an ambitious vision is now transforming care.

And it was made possible by supporters like you.

If you would like to become a regular giver, supporting a project like the Hybrid Operating Theatre, consider joining our Life Support Program. The program offers a reliable income stream that allows The Alfred to go above and beyond in the care offered to our patients.

For information, visit regulargiving.alfredfoundation.org.au

Read our Impossible publication in full here.