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New 32-bed ward at West Suffolk Hospital
A new 32-bed ward has opened at West Suffolk Hospital to give us extra flexibility in caring for our patients.
Built in just 18 weeks, it will initially accommodate existing patients while other areas of the West Suffolk Hospital building undergo planned maintenance works. It will also provide additional beds to help us cope with increased demand over the winter months.
The new ward is a two-storey building with 32 beds, over six bedded bays and two single ensuite rooms. It is linked to the existing hospital building to allow for easy access to existing services, and also houses two large, centralised nurse bases, utilities, and staff rest and changing rooms.
Modular construction specialist Darwin Group delivered the ward for the Trust. The extension was mostly constructed off-site before being craned into place. Internal and external finishing touches were completed with minimal disruption to the live hospital environment. It also has the potential to be relocated and repurposed in the future.
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Steve Dunn said: "We have a fantastic new, high-spec ward, ready to support our staff to provide high quality care for our patients while we carry out maintenance work in the current building. Both our estates team and Darwin Group deserve high praise for working so hard to get it completed within the short time frame."
Charles Pierce, managing director at Darwin Group, said: "We are very proud to have delivered such an important project for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Our skilled in-house team has taken time to consider the needs of the staff and patients at the hospital - working collaboratively to deliver the ward in just 18 weeks, providing a modern space for patients."
Tony Floyde, Trust senior project manager, said: "The construction of the hospital’s new decant ward has been a huge undertaking and we are very pleased it has been completed within the required time frame. It was essential that our construction partner could work flexibly to accommodate our needs and we now have a fully functioning, healthcare compliant ward. We are thrilled with the result."
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