RELIEF has come for people seeking surgery sooner than hospital waiting lists allow.After years of planning, the first patient was wheeled into theatre at Bendigo’s new day surgery on Tuesday.Surgeons performed 14 operations that day, nine on Thursday and 10 yesterday.Bendigo Day Surgery is a purpose-built facility in Chum Street featuring three theatres, five dedicated specialist consulting suites and one for visiting medical officers.The facility came to fruition after a team of Bendigo surgeons moved to establish a private surgery to cater for the increased demand for day procedures.Eleven Bendigo surgeons operate at the facility and the number is expected to grow.Procedures to be carried out at the surgery include endoscopy, gastroscopy and colonoscopy.Minor urological, gynaecological and general surgery procedures will also be performed, along with eye, ear, nose and throat, and plastic surgery.Patients will not be required to stay overnight.Bendigo Day Surgery board chairman Dr Peter Mazur said the planning and building process was long and tortuous but was also extremely rewarding.“We’ve opened up more surgery space for people in Bendigo,’’ he said.“It’s a big thing to have another centre where procedures can be done.’’Dr Mazur said the day surgery also allowed St John of God to concentrate on more complex surgical work. Last night the surgery hosted a reception for the staff of Bendigo specialists to familiarise them with the team.A formal opening will be held on December 5.