Hutt Valley District Health Board has become the first in New Zealand to use purpose-built containers as operating theatres.
The "clip-on" container units have been turned into a day-surgery with two theatres, a preparation room and a waiting area. They will be in use from Monday.
The district health board has been grappling with a shortage of operating theatres for several years.
Hutt Valley DHB chairman Peter Glensor says the units are a temporary measure while new operating theatres and an emergency department are built.
