New modular ward arrives at RUH Bath

A new modular ward arrived at the Royal United Hospital Bath at the weekend, marking the start of a major five-year improvement and maintenance project.

The new ward, consisting of 18 units each weighing 13 tons, was craned into place on Saturday and Sunday. Work is now underway to fit out and equip the ward internally and to link it to the main hospital by a new corridor, to be ready for use in early 2019.

The new ward will create the space to allow another 16 wards, one at a time, to move in while upgrading and refurbishment work takes place in the vacated area. The first to transfer will be the Surgical Assessment Unit in early April.

Libby Walters, Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have to continually modernise and renovate our property to keep it up to date. This modular ward gives us the space to do just that. It's a really exciting development for the Trust that will have a big impact on further improving and modernising the environment on our wards to benefit our patients and staff, with the minimum disruption. It's a significant investment that demonstrates our continued commitment to making the RUH fit for the future."

The modular ward has a maximum of 27 beds and will house wards only for the time that they are being renovated. It is built to a very high standard and offers all the facilities found in a modern hospital ward. Patients, their families and carers can be assured that they will receive the same dedicated care and treatment, provided by the same teams, in the new ward.

The modular ward is the latest in a schedule of major building projects underway, recently completed or in the planning pipeline at the RUH.

A new home for the Facial Surgery and Orthodontics outpatient department is nearing completion in Zone C of the hospital, creating a new improved facility providing a 'Centre of Excellence' for conditions of the head and neck, in a new purpose-built environment. The new unit will help pave the way for the new Dyson Cancer Centre.

In June 2019 the new RNHRD and Therapies Centre will open, housing many of the services currently located at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) and in the RUH, namely rheumatology, therapies and pain management services.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and is now working towards a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

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