The new facility includes a new heating system, programmable lights that dim automatically at night and motion sensitive wash stations throughout.
It is one of the first fundamental redesigns of in-patient accommodation since the main hospital building was constructed in the late 1960s and signals the start of a series of upgrades which will see 18 of the hospital’s in-patient wards undergo refurbishments to an equally high standard over the coming years.
Michael Ruffley, Project Manager at Aintree University Hospital, said: “This was a significant project which followed eight months of consultation with staff throughout the hospital. There was a four month construction period which required us to carry out work in a functioning hospital without impacting patient care.
“The feedback so far has been extremely positive and the new features will enable us to deliver a consistently high quality of service.”
Sarah Coppell, a Digestive Diseases Matron who works on Ward 4, said: “The improvements have made a huge difference to the service we can offer. The patient bays have en suite disabled washing and toilet facilities, meaning improved comfort and dignity for all patients.
“The new décor and soft furnishings may appear to be small changes but they can make a big difference to how patients and their visitors feel when they are in hospital.”
The ward, which is used by patients who are recovering from surgery or treatment in Critical Care, also has curtains made of an infection-resistant material to help prevent hospital-acquired infection, a refurbished relative’s room and an integrated ceiling hoist system for moving patients.
The work was managed by the hospital’s Estates department with the design work being carried out by Taylor Young architects and Steven Hunt & Associates and the construction work being carried out by Nobles Construction, MJ Quinn Integrated Services and A & T Engineering.
Aintree has completed more than £45m worth of developments in recent years, including a £35m Elective Care Centre, £1.75m Diabetes Centre and £8m multi-storey car park, complete with a link-bridge to the main hospital.
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