Ward revamp aiming to reduce diseases

A revamped ward boasting ensuite bathrooms and no-touch showers and taps has opened at a hospital on the Sandwell and Birmingham border.

It is hoped the improvements to the D16 ward at City Hospital will help drive down infections and diseases.

Most of the ward's patients are pensioners and the improvements include 28 no-touch showers and taps and signs built into the floor reminding people to wash their hands.

Side rooms have been upgraded to have ensuite facilities and automatic lights have been installed, meaning people no longer have to touch the switches.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust capital projects manager Paul Scott, said: "The systems are timed to flush automatically on a daily basis to reduce the risk of legionnaires disease and we have designed and built signs into the floor at the front of all of the hand wash stations to reinforce the message that people must wash their hands. Extra sinks have also been added near to the entrances.

Dr Beryl Oppenheim, director of infection control and prevention at the trust, said: "The refurbished ward has been developed to use innovative practices to create a better environment to care for our patients."

There is also a bay near the nurses' station for patients who need special observation. The work at D16 will now be followed by a £2 million project to improve the Medical Assessment Unit, which is used 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

It is hoped the work, which was approved last week by bosses, will drive down infections such as MRSA and C.diff and improve privacy and dignity for patients.

It is hoped the improved unit will be up and running by the end of March next year.

The work will include four new rooms, improved bathrooms, a revamped reception and waiting area, more hand basins and extra storage.