Patients begin to move into new £40 million wards at West Cumberland Infirmary

Doors are now open to the new £40 million redevelopment of West Cumberland Hospital.

The first patients began to move into the 4 new wards this week. The planned moves will happen over the course of the remaineder of this week, moving patients and staff from the old to the new and improved facilities.

The redevelopment, although hit by a delay earlier in the year, is now ready and waiting to take care of the very first patients. Teams from both the Loweswater suite and Copeland Unit will be the first to move, followed by Children and Young People, Care of the Elderly and finally the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit.

Hospital Matron, Andrea Hendren said: "I was here the day they broke ground on the project and now I’m standing in a lovely, light filled, modern ward, which is a huge upgrade in both the environment and facilities we can offer. I think our patients and their families will be delighted when they see it."

Staff from across North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) will be on hand to make the transition as smooth as possible, moving patients, furniture and equipment over to the new wards, in the hope that everyone will be settled into their new home by the end of the month.

The opening of the new extension brings the four year project to a close, building work to demolish part of the original hospital building began back in 2020 and the first brick was laid on the new extension in May 2022. Since then the project has moved rapidly using contemporary building methods and bringing modern day health care facilities to replace old and inefficient ward areas. The wards are all purpose built with their individual needs at the heart of the designs, designs which staff have been the driving force behind.

The new build includes:

Loweswater Suite -Specialist Palliative Care Unit: Located on the ground floor, this ward offers private rooms and access to a tranquil courtyard, providing a calming environment for patients and their families.

Copeland Unit: This ‘stepdown’ community ward will have access to the therapy gym to prepare patients for returning home after a stay in hospital.

Children and Young People’s Ward: This ward feature upgraded rooms with en-suite facilities, creating a welcoming and safe environment for children and Young People.

Care of the Elderly ward: Designed with dementia-friendly features, this ward includes six four-bedded bays, eight en-suite side rooms, and communal spaces to promote social interaction.

Stroke Rehabilitation Unit: Situated on the ground floor, this unit provides an outdoor rehabilitation area, private family room, and a mix of single rooms and bays to accommodate varying patient needs.

NCIC Chief Executive, Lyn Simpson said: "I’m really proud of everyone who has brought this project to life over the last four years, none more so than our own staff who have been integral in getting the right design approved and over the line for their patients.

"This will make a huge difference to our patient experience. We hope our patients and visitors and the rest of Team NCIC will agree this is has been a great project and certainly worth all the hard work. Well done to everyone involved!”