The latest phase of Burnham-On-Sea hospital’s £740,000 refurbishment has been completed over the past week.
A new men’s ward, The Arnold Pople Ward, is now occupied and the new Ward Entrance and Nurses’ Station (pictured right) is also operational.
Within a few days the hospital kitchen will be moving to a new location, which will enable deliveries to be made without having to be carried through hospital corridors.
The new Nurses’ Station, as well as providing a bright entrance for visitors opens out a dark corridor and provides additional hospital security.
The Refurbishment Programme, which has been jointly funded by Somerset Health and the Hospital Friends group, who have donated £300,000, has already provided a new Out Patients and Minor Injuries Area plus Waiting Room and Womens’ Ward.
Phases 3 and 4 will be completed in the next three months and provide a new ‘Reflections Room’, Dayroom, Meetings Room and en-suite rooms.
Tony Deahl, Chairman of the Friends of the Hospital, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are delighted with the work completed so far.”
“It has made a tremendous difference to the look of the hospital, making it a more pleasant environment for both patients and staff.”
“The staff have been magnificent in the positive way in which they have coped with the inevitable difficulties brought about by such a major refurbishment.”
“They deserve our thanks and appreciation. Patients privacy, dignity, security and infection control have been the major aims of the project.”
Tony added: “We, as Friends of the Hospital, have been fully involved with the Somerset Primary Care Trust from design to completion and we are proud of what we are achieving between us.”
