SURGEONS in York welcomed the president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Professor Sir Peter Morris, on his visit to York Hospital's latest operating theatre.

Sir Peter enjoyed an informal chat with surgical staff during his visit.

He joined Alan Maynard, chairman of York Health Services NHS Trust, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the new orthopaedic services operating theatre, which is nearing completion.

The ceremony marked the expansion of orthopaedic surgical services, and the appointment of two new consultants.

The new theatre will meet the growing demand for orthopaedic surgery and enable the trust to provide a better standard of care to orthopaedic patients.

George Wood, deputy chief executive of the trust, who also attended the ceremony, said: "The additional orthopaedic theatre will help modernise the service and help us to reduce waiting times."

Sir Peter and members of the council of the Royal College met surgeons and trainees to find out what was happening in York.

The informal session was an opportunity for surgical staff at York to discuss a range of issues. Sir Peter will now feed back the views and opinions of staff to the Health Secretary, Alan Milburn.

Mr Martyn Coomer, secretary for research with the Royal College of Surgeons, said: "Sir Peter acts as the voice of surgeons to the Health Secretary. These visits present surgeons and trainees with the opportunity to share ideas, overcome problems, and provide a better service to patients. This forum of discussion is also a useful opportunity to raise local issues."

Sir Peter later attended a surgeons' road show in Scarborough.

Updated: 09:35 Thursday, June 05, 2003