Light and airy, Leighton Hospital's new £12.5m treatment centre has the feel of a modern hotel.

The flagship centre - the first of its kind in the North West - is designed to put patients at the Crewe hospital at their ease, from the minute they enter the door to when they wake up in recovery.

Fresh flowers and smiling faces greet visitors to the reception, from where they are guided to sound-proofed consulting and treatment rooms.

In stark contrast to the ageing surroundings of Leighton's main complex, the centre's state-of-the-art facilities offer a fresh approach to the personal well-being of patients.

The bulk of patients will benefit from it. From this week, nearly 80% of day case surgery will be carried out in its four theatres.

Manager Andy Ennis, who previously managed paediatrics, says: 'Waiting lists have fallen at Leighton but emergency admissions take up beds which could be used for day case procedures.

'With a purpose-built treatment centre, about 78% of elective day case surgery can be carried out under one roof.

'We see no point in keeping people in hospital if their procedure went well.

'The theory is most people would rather get home to their own bed if the support is there for them.

'A pre-op assessment will en-sure they meet the criteria. If not, they can be admitted for a longer stay.

'The centre is the largest development that has taken place at the hospital and its day case surgery and diagnostic facilities will be a massive boost to the area.'

Matron Sally Mann is tasked with ensuring patient care and cleanliness.

She says: 'Patients are people and we understand they need to maintain privacy and dignity.

'We have tried to think of everything, right down to theatre gowns. All patients are now now given their own dressing gown.

'Arrivals are staged so there are no long waits for theatre which can increase a patient's anxiety.

'The aim is for a patient arriving in the morning to be home by teatime.'

VIP guests, including council-lors, the media and Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, were given a guided tour on Friday.

The centre's screening facilities can give patients immediate treatment. Certain tumours, for example, can be 'zapped there and then'.

Fully funded and run by the NHS, the centre is staffed by 160 full and part-time professionals. Officially opened on Monday, it will treat more than 100 patients a day.

One of the first patients was a child having tonsils out. There were no bright lights to wake up to in recovery but a controlled system ensured a gentle arrival back to consciousness.

Leighton Hospital's new treatment centre provides state-of-the-art care in the following departments: General surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics , ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, oral surgery, urology, endoscopy, dermatology, medicine, pain relief