NHS Property Services has completed and officially opened a £4.5 million redevelopment project at John Coupland Hospital in Gainsborough, transforming the former Morton Suite there into the new Scotter Ward.
Designed to support Lincolnshire’s community healthcare network, Scotter Ward will officially welcome patients in the coming weeks. The new ground floor facility incorporates 17 beds – including three new four-bedded bedrooms and five single bedrooms. The renovated space also features a dedicated palliative care suite and four stroke pathway beds, and specialised design features to support people with dementia, including pastel colour schemes and gentle lighting. Specially designed to serve community needs, Scotter Ward provides short-term inpatient care and rehabilitation, playing an important role in preventing unnecessary admissions to larger hospitals, and ensuring that patients not quite ready to return home receive the ongoing support they need.
NHSPS says it collaborated closely with local clinicians and healthcare teams to create a thoughtfully designed space that meets both patient and staff needs. Features such as a lack of central nursing stations and smaller desks within each bay create a more open, homely atmosphere. Scotter Ward also includes a versatile day room for therapy and visits, an expanded treatment area, and enhanced storage, all designed to support a collaborative workflow.
Scotter Ward Clinical Team lead, Donna Phillips, said: “This is such a proud day for me, and everyone who cares for patients on our ward. It is wonderful to see all the detailed planning, hard work, and discussions come to fruition. This building has been co-designed with staff and patients alike.”
Matthew Turner, Lindum Group Construction manager, added: “It’s great to see this project completed. It will be a real asset to the people of Gainsborough and the surrounding area. It’s been an interesting scheme to deliver, as it is within the grounds of a live hospital. Our site manager was in daily contact with the Facilities team at John Coupland, and detailed logistics planning was vital to keep everyone safe during construction."
