Temporary ward being built to ensure Berwick's new hospital opens towards the end of 2024
Last updated 23rd May 2023
A new temporary ward for inpatients is being built in the maternity car park at Berwick Infirmary.
The 10-bed unit will allow staff to continue to operate while a new £35m hospital is being built.
But some patients could still be forced to make a 60-mile round-trip to Alnwick for treatment until the new hospital opens towards the end of 2024.
Northumbria Healthcare says the new temporary facility is expected to welcome its first inpatients from around mid-July.
Maternity, oncology, ambulatory care and minor injury unit services will remain within the Berwick Infirmary building and will not be affected.
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Marion Dickson, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, who's leading the project, said: “It is fantastic that we are now moving into this very exciting phase of this project and that our new hospital is most certainly now a reality!
"We have considered a few options and are very pleased that we are able to keep both our inpatients and ward staff on our Berwick Infirmary site.
“We are doing the right thing for our staff and patients and ensuring that construction of our new hospital is completed as quickly as possible. We are very aware of how long people have waited for our new hospital to open.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we are doing all we can to keep disruption to a minimum on site and that we will continue to keep everyone updated on progress. I would also like to thank our staff for their continued efforts, flexibility, and patience. And we also very much appreciate the support of our local communities and stakeholders.”
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Northumbria Healthcare is working with Northumberland County Council to ensure that maternity patients have access to parking nearby.
Once the frame of the hospital is up, stairs and floors will be installed along with an accessible rooftop. The building will be clad and glazed externally to weatherproof it and ensure it is watertight. The offsite manufactured components will then be put in place and the building will be fitted out.
Finally, the remaining old hospital buildings will be demolished, the car park and access roads will be built, and landscaping work completed.
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