Official opening of new wards at Warwick Hospital

Published: 15:04, 10 March 2016

Chris White, centre, MP for Warwick and Leamington, was joined in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the two new wards by, from left, Russell Hardy, chairman of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, Ike Nwachukwu, clinical lead consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Steve Young, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, and Glen Burley, chief executive of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust. Photo: Mark Williamson W24/3/16/9

SOUTH Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) has officially opened its new orthopaedic wards at Warwick Hospital today, Monday 7th March. Chris White, MP for Warwick and Leamington, Steve Young, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Ike Nwachukwu, clinical director for orthopaedics, Glen Burley, SWFT chief executive and Russell Hardy, SWFT chairman, officially opened the new building which is home to three wards.

The extension to the existing hospital is now a centre of excellence for orthopaedic care and was opened to patients in December 2015. The additional wards are helping the Trust to meet healthcare needs of an increasing and ageing population in South Warwickshire.

The development includes 57 beds which are split over three floors. The ground floor is home to Thomas Ward which provides trauma orthopaedic care and was named after the Thomas Splint, a piece of medical equipment that is used in treating orthopaedic patients around the world.

Greville Ward is on the second floor, treating elective orthopaedic patients and was named after one of the Earls of Warwick. Both of these wards have been designed and built with a focus on patients, which includes ensuring that the areas are dementia friendly.

The top floor of the new building is the Beauchamp Suite, which offers NHS patients the option to pre-book a single en-suite room to recover from their surgery. While all NHS clinical care remains the same, patients benefit from enhanced facilities within their room. All income made from these beds is then reinvested back into NHS services, helping to secure the Trust’s financial sustainability for the future.

Glen Burley, chief executive said: “I am really pleased that the new wards are now officially open. It’s great to see staff and patients in the facilities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has been involved in the development. Having a dedicated area for our orthopaedic patients supports efficiency, helping our clinical teams to deliver safe, effective, compassionate care.”

Stratford-upon-Avon Simon Woodings