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Opening our newly refurbished wards
Written by Communications Team   

Ashford Hospital today welcomed Mr David Wilshire, MP for Spelthorne, who officially opened four newly refurbished wards. The improvements on Chaucer, Wordsworth, Dickens and Fielding wards are part of a major ward improvement programme across both Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, due for final completion in 2010.

The refurbishment at Ashford, costing around £850,000 has significantly improved the design and appearance of the wards, ensuring they comply with the very latest hygiene standards and, very importantly, are arranged so that men and women do not have to share their accommodation. Ensuring patient privacy and dignity has been a major driver in this programme.

In celebration of the completion of the work, Mr Wilshire unveiled a commemorative plaque and, along with other guests from the local community, took a tour around the wards accompanied by Trust Chairman Aileen McLeish. Said Aileen: “Mr Wilshire was impressed with the layout and look of the wards and with the work we have done to make sure men and women don’t have to share their accommodation.”

“This forms part of our wider commitment to ensuring patient privacy and dignity and is one of the most far-reaching projects the Trust has undertaken in recent years. I would like to thank the members of staff who have worked so hard to refurbish the new wards and improve the experience of our patients.”

Whilst on his tour Mr Wilshire met members of staff and saw first hand some of the changes made. The creation of a new day room and mini kitchen in Chaucer Ward (for stroke rehabilitation) for example is particularly useful and enables stroke patients who need long-term rehabilitation to practice their domestic skills before leaving hospital.

Dickens Ward is dedicated to orthopaedic patients such as those having hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery and has been fitted with “touch free” taps, which is a small but important way of cutting down on handling and reducing the risk of infection. Patients are encouraged to start their rehabilitation as soon as possible after their operation, so the ward has its own physiotherapy gym to help get them back on their feet.

The re-modelling of Fielding Ward has provided 22 beds, four single cubicles with shower rooms and a small physiotherapy room with parallel bars and a mini-practice staircase. Whilst the refurbishment of Wordsworth Ward, which is used for more complex medical patients and specialist rehabilitation for amputees, means there is plenty of space for wheelchair movement. All four wards are now compliant with the single sex agenda, meaning men and women have separate sleeping and bathroom facilities.

Said Ashford Hospital Matron Sarah Hill: “We have worked hard to improve the wards in a way which really works for our patients. Rehabilitation is physical, but it is also psychological and social and it’s important that patients gain confidence in doing everyday tasks such as walking up the stairs and making a cup of tea. Our new facilities really enable us to do this and it’s been great to be able to show them off today and celebrate the improvements we have made.”