A new clinic for hernia and gallstone surgery patients is being launched at Cockermouth Community Hospital.
It will mean consultations and pre-assessments can be carried out without patients having to attend the main hospitals in Carlisle or Whitehaven.
The weekly clinic began on Wednesday and is run by surgeons from North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. It will see about 12 patients a week.
Currently those waiting for surgery have to attend hospital for an initial appointment with a surgeon, followed by a separate pre-assessment, then wait for a date for the operation.
The new clinic will offer both in one appointment, and a date for surgery will also be provided, either at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven or Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary.
John Wayman, consultant general surgeon, said: "Rather than attending the hospital on two occasions and then awaiting a date for surgery, patients can attend one appointment in Cockermouth and leave knowing when their surgery will be."
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