Staff will be moving patients into the brand new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Walsall Manor Hospital from tomorrow morning (Saturday 1 December).
The ICU, constructed by Skanska, has brought together Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) and the High Dependency Unit (HDU) creating an 18-bedded unit.
Earlier this week the Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall joined trust staff, Skanska and design colleagues, volunteers, members and fundraisers for an open day and tour. The Chaplaincy team also blessed the unit.
Skanska has been working with trust staff in a partnership commissioning arrangement but today officially handed the unit over to the trust.
Russell Caldicott, Executive Director of Performance and Finance, said: “This is a major investment and development in critical care that has resulted in an outstanding, state-of-the art unit.
“Everyone who came to the open day marvelled at the positive impact this will have on patient care – from the point of view of a much improved environment – as well as how proud staff will be to work in such a fantastic facility.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved for their expertise, commitment and enthusiasm on this long-awaited project. I’d particularly like to acknowledge our staff who will be involved in moving patients into the ICU this weekend; many of them have volunteered their time to come and help and this is critical care teamwork at its finest.”
The new ICU will allow the Trust to treat patients in individual rooms, preventing cross infection and ensuring their dignity and privacy. The standardisation of equipment at every bed space will mean any bed can be used for either an HDU or ITU patient, preventing them having to be moved. Each bed has a ceiling-mounted pendant that supplies a comprehensive range of essential services including essential gases, power for equipment and IT links.
A relatives’ room has been created to better support families and friends of patients. The room has been named the ‘Francoise Suite’ in memory of patient Francoise Ankrett and has been created using a kind donation from the family.