Great Western Hospital spruce-up programme is well on the way (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon hospital spruce-up programme is well on the way

12:13pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

THE five year refurbishment programme at the Great Western Hospital will continue this year with two big projects in the pipeline.

Between April and August, refurbishment will take place in the Emergency Department which will include dedicated space to provide a Children’s Emergency Department. When the work is complete, children will be seen and treated in a separate part of ED away from adults in a much more appropriate environment for their age.

During the same period, the hospital will also be refurbishing the Radiology department which will include the installation of a second MRI scanner. This will help speed up diagnosis times and provide a useful back-up on occasions where the other MRI may be out of service.

Chief Executive Nerissa Vaughan said: “During this year we will be continuing our ward refurbishment programme so that we maintain a good patient environment.There are two big projects which not only update what we currently have but will help us go further to provide a better patient experience and a better working environment for staff.”

Other improvements planned for this year include Jupiter ward from July to September, phase one of the theatres from August to September, and the maternity department which will continue through the year.

A number of changes have already been made at the GWH, including moving the Stroke Unit from Mercury ward back into its permanent home on Falcon ward, and vacating Teal ward making it the centre of the ward redecoration programme. Nerissa will give an update at the board meeting tomorrow.