A fast-track centre to carry out non-urgent operations is to open in West Sussex.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn was today announcing the Government is to invest millions in a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.

The centre will be fully operational by March 2005 and will enable an extra 6,000 in-patients and 20,000 outpatients to be treated, reducing the hospital's bed occupancy from 98 per cent to 85 per cent.

The centre will mean more space will be available for urgent operations in the main theatres.

Thousands of patients are expected to benefit from the new centre, with most of the surgery carried out for hip, knee and cataract operations.

The aim is to reduce the number of cancelled operations and improve the flow of patients from the accident and emergency department to the wards.

Mr Milburn said: "The centre at St Richard's will benefit many patients in the Chichester area.

"It will provide fast, convenient and high-quality care for patients requiring elective surgery and help to reduce pressure on other parts of the hospital.

"Without the additional theatres and the streamlined service offered by a DTC, St Richard's would have struggled to meet the expected future demand for operations."

Hospital chief executive Robert Lapraik said: "This is most important investment in our hospital since the new development in 1996.

"The centre will give us the opportunity to provide one-stop treatment and diagnosis for outpatients, so saving repeated visits for tests and results plus the time spent worrying in between.

"Where possible, patients will be seen, treated and receive their results in one location . The DTC will become the new heart of the hospital."

The new centre will have three operating theatres, a substantial number of treatment rooms and outpatient space and 24 overnight beds for patients following day surgery.

Claire Holloway, chief executive of Western Sussex Primary Care Trust said: "We're absolutely delighted our joint bid for funding has been approved.

"St Richard's has an enviable reputation for providing high-quality patient care but staff work under considerable pressure with bed occupancy rates often close to 100 per cent.

"The new centre will enable the trust to commission services from St Richard's that will further improve the quality and timeliness of the care that local people receive."

Simon Robbins, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority, said: "Congratulations to the team at St Richard's for securing this landmark development for local people.

"St Richard's has an excellent reputation for patient care and I know that in return for this significant investment the hospital will use this as a marvellous opportunity to further improve the patient's experience."

The St Richard's centre is one of 12 to cost £100 million. A further 11 will be put out to open tender from private companies.