Publish date: 7 December 2023
Patients and staff settling well on new Berwick ward
Patients and staff are settling in well into Berwick Infirmary’s new temporary inpatient ward.
To date, 22 patients have been cared for on the ward.
The ward, which is very comfortable, fitted out to a high standard and has 10 beds, opened to patients in the middle of last month.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s staff nurse, Louise Melvin, who has worked on the inpatient ward at Berwick Infirmary for two-and-a-half years, said: “Our patients can expect the same level of high-quality care on our new temporary ward. Inpatient care is being provided by the same team as before. Patients have reacted very positively to our new ward. They like the layout and have commented on having more space. They also like the fact that they can chat to other patients in the bays next to theirs.
“Our ward team is also very happy with the new ward. It is a really lovely environment to care for our patients in.”
The new ward is a necessary and important part of the process of building the new Berwick hospital as it ensures that patients can remain on the hospital site in Berwick, rather than being cared for in other parts of the town or elsewhere in Northumberland.
Patient, Helen Aird, who has recently been cared for on the ward, said: “Our new hospital is something that we have needed for a very long time. I’m thrilled to bits things are progressing and with this temporary ward. It has plenty of space and is light and airy. Other patients are pleased with it as well. It is great that the staff have the space and what they need too.”
The ward provides rehabilitation care for elderly patients that may have multiple long-term conditions and also palliative care.
Some patients that would usually be admitted to Berwick Infirmary are being cared for at Alnwick Infirmary and the trust is also caring for as many patients as they can within the community. Where a patient is cared for will depend on their clinical need and Northumbria Healthcare will provide transport for patients and relatives as appropriate.
Inpatients will be cared for in the temporary ward, located in what was the maternity car park, for the duration of the new hospital build. Maternity, oncology, ambulatory care and minor injury unit services remain within the Berwick Infirmary building and are not affected.
It is hoped that the new hospital will be open by early summer 2025.
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