A new general medicine ward has been opened at North Tyneside General Hospital in North Shields to ease capacity challenges and improve patient experience during their time at the hospital.
A further ward, focused on supporting older people with fractures, has also been extensively refurbished. The 26-bed and a 29-bed inpatient wards will feature en suite shower / WC facilities and general upgrades, including new doors, flooring, and updated furniture. Key drivers for the new and improved facilities were the need to improve patient privacy and dignity, and to improve infection control measures. Previously, the space for the 29-bed ward was used as a temporary ward to support other development work that had taken place on the site. It has now been developed into a permanent space to increase capacity for general medicine patients and ease hospital pressures.
A focus on the development has been to support the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Northumbria Net Zero Action Plan, which includes installing LED lighting and upgrading to heat emitters. It also commits the Trust to focusing its sustainability efforts on eight key action areas to it achieve Net Zero status by 2040. As part of this, Northumbria Healthcare has committed to ensuring that its new developments and refurbishments are as sustainable as possible.
Simon Eaton, consultant on the new Ward 25, and Interim Executive director for medicine at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “A key driver behind these developments was to increase capacity and ease pressure, and we know also how important it is to ensure that we make a patients stay with us as comfortable as possible. We hope that these new facilities meet the needs of our patients.”
Jonny Watson, deputy director of Commercial and Capital Projects at Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, added: “We have been delighted to support Northumbria Healthcare in this new development. We’re committed to investing in our estates and facilities to ensure that patient experience is the best it can be. We hope that the upgraded facilities and improved look of this ward will create a more positive environment for patients while they are with us.”
Michael Hellens, Construction Operations manager at OPUS Building Services, said: “OPUS was tasked by Northumbria Healthcare to undertake significant improvements to Ward 25. Works included the full flooring replacement, full ward decoration, ceiling replacements, sanitaryware and kitchen replacements, plus mechanical and electrical alterations. This project was possible due to the dedication of all operatives, suppliers, and sub-contractors, with a can-do attitude demonstrated by all involved.”
