The Modern Operating Theatre in the Digital Era

REIMAGINING hospital care, the conference ‘The Operating Theatre in the Year 2030’, held at the Global Innovation and New Technology (GIANT) Health Event 2025, showcased the evolving landscape of hospitals in the UK. During the session ‘Operating Theatres in 2025’, chaired by Rajesh Sivaprakasam, Lead for Robotic Renal Failure Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK, an expert panel reflected on how perioperative services have evolved, and what challenges remain. While technological advancement featured prominently, discussions repeatedly returned to human factors: communication, leadership, training, and cultural change. Collectively, the panel articulated a vision of operating theatres that are not merely technologically sophisticated, but safer, more inclusive, and better aligned with patient-centred care.