This year St Nicholas Hospice is undertaking several significant projects to improve the services it delivers. The first of these is the refurbishment of the In Patient Unit to update and improve facilities for patients and their families. The refurbishment has been made possible by a grant from the Department of Health and some recent generous legacies.
To undertake the ward refurbishment we are reducing the number of our In Patient Beds from 12 to 6 until September. The ward has now moved to our Day Hospice area, which has been renamed Summer Ward. Day Hospice is now operating from our communal lounge area. The Hospice will continue caring for patients in the community during this time of reduced operation at the In Patient Unit.
Chief Executive, Barbara Gale says, “We are delighted that this money has been made available for the refurbishment of the In Patient Unit. Naturally our first concern is the welfare of our patients and their families. We would like to reassure people that we will be continuing to take admissions and will ensure those who are being cared for at home and who are in greatest need are seen as a priority. We shall continue to operate a service as close to normal as possible and will be increasing our support for patients in their own homes.”
She continues, “It is seven years since the In Patient Unit was last refurbished and we are looking forward to the many improvements that will be made for our patients and their families. One of the major changes will be air-conditioning for hot days and improved heating for wintertime. The focus on attention to detail means that we will install no-touch taps to prevent the spread of infection and install fly screens on all the windows to minimise the nuisance of insects in the buildings on hot days. The bathrooms are being modernised and there will be improved accommodation for families who need to stay here. We will also change the way the rooms are arranged so that all bed-bound patients will have a better view of the garden. I am very pleased that we will be working with local architects Whitworth Co-Partnership who were chosen after a careful tendering process. ”
The work is due to be completed in September of this year and there will be an opportunity for the community to view the new facilities before the Unit is open to receive patients.
May 13th 2008
