Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and NCH Healthcare System have broken ground on the Patty & Jay Baker Pavilion, a new orthopaedics centre of excellence in Southwest Florida, US.

The development marks the start of construction of the new HSS at NCH musculoskeletal (MSK) centre, which is located on the NCH North Naples Hospital campus, covering over 80,000ft².

Jointly owned and operated with HSS, the centre will offer orthopaedic services to Naples and Southwest Florida.

These services include outpatient and inpatient care, ambulatory surgery, and joint imaging and rehabilitation services.

The project is funded primarily through private philanthropy.

The new facility is expected to open in early 2025.

NCH board trustee Jay Baker said: “I am immensely proud to have helped bring HSS to our community.

“The new HSS at NCH collaboration is a testament to our commitment to world-class healthcare, and we are honoured to have contributed to this transformative endeavour.”

Orthopaedic trauma surgeon Dr David Helfet will serve as the executive medical director of HSS at NCH.

The partnership seeks to provide expert orthopaedic care to Southwest Florida residents, eliminating the need for travel to the HSS main campus in New York City.

Additionally, donations for orthopaedic services at NCH are matched by a $20m grant to be provided by the Bakers.

NCH president and CEO Paul Hiltz said: “This ground-breaking marks an important milestone in our quest to bring world-class orthopaedic care to our community as NCH continues its journey to become an Advanced Community Healthcare System.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with HSS – the world leader in orthopaedics – to make this high level of care available to our patients.”