Construction underway of a new Critical Care Unit at South Tyneside District Hospital

The six-bed unit will provide state-of-the-art facilities to help treat some of the hospitals most critically ill patients. The footprint of the unit is much bigger to allow for new equipment and room for staff to work. Facilities such as a dedicated family room will also make visiting a better experience for family and friends.

Each room will feature smart glass, which can be switched between opaque for privacy and clear so staff see in for observations. It will mirror the facilities available at Sunderland Royal Hospital, making it much easier for staff working across both sites. It is also a much-needed upgrade for the previous unit, which was no longer fit for purpose and did not have enough space for the new equipment.

Building work will be complete by the end of the year and is being set up in a vacant part of the Ingham Wing, in the main hospital building. Its ground floor location will make it easy to access other key parts of the hospital such as the emergency departments, radiology and theatre.

Staff will also be given better facilities, including their own changing area and seminar room to support learning. Helen Turnbull is South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s divisional director for Theatres and Critical Care.

She said: “This new unit will make a real difference to our critical care patients at South Tyneside Hospital and also make it a much better, brighter and more modern place for our staff to work in and for our patients’ loved ones to visit.

“The department will be in line with what we already have at Sunderland, with the same equipment and layout. This will help staff working across both sites and create a much better environment for us to look after some of our sickest patients and support their loved ones with dignity.

“We’re already seeing the work progress and know this will be a great addition to our hospital as we future proof our facilities for years to come.”

David Thompson is divisional director at Tolent, which is carrying out the construction work. He said: “We are thrilled to have commenced work on this amazing project and it is great to be part of the solution that is bringing about positive change to NHS services in the region. 

“The project builds upon our existing healthcare portfolio with recently completed projects at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Freeman Hospital and Nightingale North East.” The new Critical Care Unit signals the latest investment at South Tyneside District Hospital.

Work is continuing on the £10m Integrated Diagnostic Centre, which will be kitted out with scanning technology, while its new £2m endoscopy unit and £800,000 inpatient pharmacy opened late last year.

A £200,000 construction project is also under way to revamp the resuscitation area of the hospital’s Emergency Department, turning open bays into rooms, with an extra-large space being set up for cardiac and trauma patients.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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