En-suite rooms on renovated ward at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Jan 1 2009 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A HOSPITAL ward has been completely transformed as part of a £2m refurbishment programme at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Ward 17 at the Lindley hospital now has 17 single en-suite rooms plus two four-bedded bays. Design work for the new general medical ward took into account the latest infection control guidelines for surfaces and layout of the ward.

Frank Gibbons, director of estates for the Trust, said: “This latest major renovation builds on the work which has already taken place at the hospital to upgrade facilities to meet modern-day needs.

“We want this to be a pleasant, clean and comfortable environment for our patients and have worked closely with our colleagues across the Trust, such as nursing staff who will be working on the ward and our infection control team, to make sure it meets the latest requirements. “

Other work which has started at the Infirmary or is planned in the near future includes:

More than £2m is being spent on the public lifts throughout the hospital. The 40-year-old lifts are being taken out and replaced with modern, reliable lifts and provide improved access for people with disabilities

Improvements to the visitor and patient toilet areas

The creation of a surgical minor procedures unit

The installation of new diagnostic equipment and scanners in radiology

The refurbishment and expansion of the appointments centre

New high performance roof coverings with environmentally friendly photo-voltaic cells have been installed on the roof of a ward block – converting daylight into energy

There are also several schemes to improve energy efficiency. The hospital’s emergency generator has been replaced with a new modern unit to provide back-up electrical supplies, in the event of a power cut. And the hot water storage system has been replaced with a more efficient energy-saving system that heats water as it is needed.

Work has also started to design a new energy centre, which will provide heating and cooling, generate its own electricity and be more environmentally efficient – reducing carbon emissions and saving money on energy bills.