Musgrove’s cardiac ward gets makeover

Musgrove’s cardiac ward gets makeover

Cardiac patients who stay at Musgrove Park Hospital are benefiting from significant improvements to the environment in which they are cared for.

It follows a four week refurbishment project at the hospital’s Fielding ward to upgrade many clinical areas on the ward and to improve the privacy and dignity of patients.

The refurbishment was possible largely thanks to a generous £162,000 legacy donation by the late Audrey Francis Rowe, whose late husband who was cared for on the ward.

As part of the work, the ward now has a bolder colour scheme and clearer signage to help patients and visitors find their way around.

It also has a much larger wheelchair-friendly wet room and purpose-built clinical preparation room for medicines, in line with guidance from the Care Quality Commission.

The refurbishment follows principles from the King’s Fund’s Enhancing the Healing Environments programme, where the think tank advises nurse-led teams on working in partnership with patients to improve the environment in which they deliver care.

Jackie Phillips, senior sister on Fielding ward, said: “As sister on the ward I feel very privileged and overwhelmed by this very generous donation.

“The work done has transformed the environment for our patients, visitors and staff. By making some structural changes to the ward we have not only enhanced the patient environment, but have also taken care back to the bed space.”

Karen Holden, associate director of patient centred care at Musgrove Park Hospital, said she was delighted that the hospital could continue the great work to make its environment more patient-friendly.

“Most patients who stay on Fielding ward have arrived following a cardiac emergency so they can often feel anxious,” she said. “The work we have done will go a long way to making them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings during their stay with us.

“The bold colours at the entrance of each bay make it much easier for patients to find their bed space, and the lighting and flooring creates a less clinical and more homely feel to the ward.

“We have also moved the reception area as we wanted to ensure we had a meet and greet area as the focal point on entering the ward.

Robert Munroe, executor of the will, said: “Mrs Rowe was very thankful for what Musgrove did for her husband during his last few months so wanted to donate this money to benefit patients on the ward.”

In addition to the improved healing environment, the ward now has a preparation room for meals, patient information screen and a communal area for patients and relatives.

Photo – Mr Munroe with all the staff on Fielding Ward to declare the ward open.

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