Published on: 11th June 2021
The team provides specialist mental health care and treatment for women aged over 65.
The work has involved replacing the old dormitories with six single en-suite bedrooms. They boast uplifting colour-coded décor, dimmable feature lighting, a walk-in shower and a special laminate on the safety doors, to provide the homely feel of a traditional front door.
Along with four existing bedrooms, the ward can now provide high quality accommodation for 10 patients.
A new sensory room has been created, with key highlights including a grandfather clock with colour changing lights, a hand painted fireplace and comfy chairs.
Nature themed relaxation areas have been developed, with one featuring an overhead skylight to give the impression of being outdoors.
Staff and patients have welcomed a brand new assisted bathroom, which features a bath that can be raised and lowered, a hoist and portable bath chair.
Staff are also benefitting from a new central nurses’ station, allowing them to be closer to patients; a staff room, providing a dedicated space to eat and relax; a changing area; shower and a doctors’ sleep room.
Outside the ward, a calming garden area has been created, which includes a range of plants and herbs, benches and a pathway. Patients can now safely benefit from outdoor activity and nature, which are important for their mental health. The garden also provides somewhere for families to visit their loved ones away from the ward.
The planned improvements were achieved under budget, allowing lots of little extras including new kitchen cupboards and patient seating.
Ward manager Laura Challis said: “We are delighted with all the improvements. It’s unrecognisable as the same ward.
“Our team has been working throughout the pandemic, so it’s given us a much needed boost.
“We’ve really welcomed the opportunity to shape improvements from the beginning and our experience and feedback has been taken on board at every stage.
“Our staff and patients deserve the absolute best and this has definitely been achieved. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Our capital projects manager, Sarah McCullough, led the improvement programme. She added: “This project has been a real labour of love. I’ve seen first-hand how hard the team works and how much they care about patients. They all deserve this fantastic new space.
“It’s been a challenge to minimise the impact of the building works, but the professionalism and compassion shown by the contractors from ABM Lancashire Limited has been second to none. Nothing was too much trouble, from helping staff move heavy items to adjusting their work schedule to fit with patient’s needs.
“I’d like to thank the patients and team for their patience during the building work. I’m so pleased they feel the final result is worth it”.
The work, which started in September 2020, is part of our journey towards creating single gender accommodation on all wards and eradicating dormitory accommodation. Single gender accommodation has been achieved in 10 wards out of 18 wards to date, and all dormitories are set to be removed later this year.
