03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Finishing touches as hospital ward shapes up for early 2020 re-opening

PEMBROKESHIRE fundraisers and key stakeholders came together this week to hear about latest progress with the multi-million pound refurbishment of Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has been closely working with everyone involved to identify innovative ways to significantly improve the patient experience on ward 10, including engagement with fundraisers and donors, members of the ward 10 Stakeholder Group (including the Community Health Council), patients, ward 10 staff, the hospital’s management team and other key staff groups.

Whilst construction and engineering work continues on the ward, staff and key stakeholders have recently been busy choosing a selection of scenic photographic images, provided by a number of local photographers, as an additional design feature. Following a shortlisting and selection process, the chosen artwork will be mounted throughout the ward to enhance the environment for patients and staff.

The new facilities will strengthen services, as well as provide an improved and enhanced environment in which to care for designated oncology and haematology patients, and those with complex palliative care needs. The modern, purpose-built areas will be dementia friendly, supporting those with bariatric requirements and with improved facilities for relatives. This development also illustrates the health board’s commitment to investing in the future of Withybush Hospital.

The ward development scheme, mainly funded by Welsh Government, is also benefiting from more than £500,000 of charitable donations from the health board’s Pembrokeshire Cancer Services Fund, Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal, together with significant donations also received from the late Luke Harding and his family.

This extra funding will help patients and staff experience an enhanced and more comfortable environment in which to receive care and treatment, and to work in, through the provision of:

additional patient comforts including a patient entertainment system (e.g. TVs), emergency toiletries, and hair washing aids for frail or bedbound patients;
improvements to the ward environment including items such as enhanced seating, bespoke bedding and curtains creating a more homely feel;
specialist equipment including bed and chair sensor pads to reduce risk of falls, and an inflatable device for safer patient lifting;
staff training so ensure ward staff are equipped with enhanced knowledge and skills;
technology including mobile devices for staff to capture patient data at the bedside and reminiscence interactive therapy activity systems that offer stimulation and distraction for patients as part of their hospital recovery.
In addition, a roof top garden is in the initial stages of planning as an enhanced facility for the ward and will likely be developed during the first half of 2020.

Dr Andrew Burns, Hospital Director at Withybush said: “We’re excited to see how the ward is shaping up and we’re very much looking forward to being able to re-open the facility for patients in early 2020.

“In the meantime we will continue to work with our partners, charity and fundraising representatives and staff on the finishing touches over the coming weeks and wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to them all, and the Pembrokeshire community, for their ongoing involvement, support and generosity.”

Lyn Neville, Elly’s father, added: “All of us involved with Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal are proud and excited to see the Ward 10 project finally coming together. It has been quite a journey this last five years, but it will be well worth it as it will be a wonderful space for patients to be cared for and for staff to work in.”

The refurbished ward 10 area will provide five en-suite single beds to enable greater privacy during care and for access by neutropenic sepsis patients and those requiring isolation facilities. Smaller bays (2 x 4 bedded bays and 1 x 3 bedded bay) are also being developed as well as improved overnight facilities for relatives plus a dedicated day/dining room for patients. There will also be a dedicated multi-disciplinary team meeting and video conferencing facility, as well as much needed storage space to support a safer and improved environment and to comply with the relevant infection prevention and fire safety standards.

For the latest news and updates from Hywel Dda University Health Board visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk

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