A £400m national scheme known as ‘The Dormitory Elimination’ is making progress in Worcestershire in its effort to improve the quality of mental health wards in hospitals.
Holt Ward, the first new ward at Worcester Royal Hospital, was opened by the Hereford and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and marks the completion of the first phase of the £11m scheme.
Dr John Devapriam, Medical Director of Hereford and Worcestershire Heath and Care NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to formally open the new Holt Ward today. The updated facilities will enhance the therapeutic environment for our patients, allowing for personalized care and supporting their right to privacy and dignity while with us.”
The ward serves adults experiencing acute mental illness and received its first patients in 12 months who were previously being cared for in an adjacent ward for the duration of the project. New private en-suite dorms have replaced outdated shared dorms.
Naomi Morgan, Acute Operational Lead for Adult Mental Health Inpatient, Specialist Mental Health and Learning Disability Services, said, “The team is looking forward to welcoming patients to the ward. I have visited it several times during the construction work and seeing it finished gives me an overwhelming feeling of pride. The creation of private rooms with bathrooms will offer much greater privacy for our patients, which in turn will help them reach their recovery goals faster, helping to reduce the length of their hospital stay.”
The team will move to the second phase of the works after a settling period, focusing on Athelon Ward. Both neighborhoods are part of the existing Elgar Unit and will provide a total of 30 new bedrooms.
“Our teams are committed to providing state-of-the-art healthcare and NHS facilities across the country. We are very proud to make such a significant contribution to the quality of care received by people with mental illness in Worcester,” said Mark Hudgeon, divisional director of the Malvern-based construction company. Metcalfe Speller. “We are pleased to deliver the first room at this location and are ready to move forward towards completion of the project.”
Speller Metcalfe was appointed to carry out the work by the Hereford and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.
