Public health and prevention minister Ashley Dalton, MP Rishi Sunak and 80-year-old scrub nurse Anne Lamb had the honour of cutting the ribbon for the purpose-built facility, which will double the number of planned operations carried out at the Northallerton hospital.

Theatre teams have helped with every stage of the planning to maximise efficiency and ensure they deliver the very best experience to patients across North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley.

Accredited as a surgical hub by the national Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, Friarage Surgical Centre features state-of-the-art technology and streamlined pathways to enable teams to treat more people, reduce waiting times and provide the best outcomes for patients while also creating an outstanding work environment for staff.

Stacey Hunter, group chief executive for University Hospitals Tees said: “It is really positive that despite a very challenging financial context that we are still investing in new and improved facilities for the patients in our care.

“This fantastic new facility has six brand new operating theatres with 12 recovery bays, two minor operating theatres with four recovery bays, a regional block room and a dedicated admission and discharge area.

“Well done to everyone involved across our theatre teams and specialties who have worked exceptionally hard to make this happen – it’s a huge achievement.

“Thanks also to our building partners, Friends of the Friarage and our local elected representatives who continue to champion the Friarage.”

Sarah Baker, lead nurse for the Friarage Surgical Centre project said the centre will enable theatre teams to treat around 100 extra patients a week.

“Our old theatres were lovingly cared for but were not able to cope with the demands of new technology. After 10 years of planning, it is so rewarding to be able to give our patients such as amazing facility. It’s all about patients and making it better for them.

“It was very emotional seeing the first patients go through the new theatre and recovery. This is the future of surgery, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

The centre will deliver around 10,000 operations a year including hip and knee replacements, gall bladder surgery and cancer surgery.

Andrew Port, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, chair of elective services and the clinical chair of the Friarage Surgical Centre said: “The Friarage Surgical Centre provides a dedicated facility for delivering orthopaedic robotic technology for hip and knee replacements – one of only 15 NHS centres in the UK where this can be accessed. It also utilises smart suite theatre technology for minimally invasive surgery.”

Surgical hubs are a key part of the NHS's plan to increase capacity for planned surgery and reduce waiting times. The hubs focus entirely on planned procedures so operations can continue without being disrupted by emergency admissions.

Public health minister, Ashley Dalton, said: “I'm delighted to formally open this cutting-edge surgical hub, which will make a real difference to patients across North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley.

"Patients deserve to get the surgery they need without lengthy waits, and that's exactly why this government is investing in more centres like Friarage Surgical Hub, which will deliver around 10,000 operations a year here in Northallerton.

“This new hub is exactly the kind of approach that is at the heart of our 10 Year Health Plan, expanding capacity as we focus relentlessly on cutting waiting lists, so that we make our NHS fit for the future."

The celebrations concluded with an art competition held in partnership with Northallerton Sixth Form College. The winning design will be proudly displayed in the centre.

Mr Sunak, who will choose the winning design, added: "In my ten years as MP for this area, the Friarage Hospital has always been my number one priority. A thriving, sustainable, hospital is vital to serve the very rural area it covers.

"The surgical hub is the cornerstone for its future. It will help the hospital treat many more patients. It will help the hospital to attract and retain the best staff. It secures its future serving the people of North Yorkshire after a period when some questioned what that future might be.

"The new centre is a world-class facility we can all take pride in.

"I would like to thank the staff of the hospital, the trust and the construction team for delivering this project on time - and the Friends of Friarage for its ever-present supporting role in all the wonderful work carried out at our much-loved local hospital."

For more details about Friarage Surgical Centre visit southtees.nhs.uk/hospitals/friarage/friarage-surgical-hub