Work starts on new £6.9m children's department at Ipswich Hospital
Doctors say it will make treatment for young people 'fit for the 21st century'
Last updated 9th May 2022
A multi-million pound revamp of the children's department at Ipswich Hopsital is underway.
£6.9m is being spent on modernising the unit, with new facilities for children, parents and carers.
The number of clinical spaces will be increased to allow for more young people to have appointments.
The playroom is to move to the centre of the ward, while the garden will be redeveloped. A 'sactuary' space will be created for teenagers undergoing treatment.
The emergency Paediatric Assessment Unit will be moved closer to the ward, allowing staff to easily cross between the two.
A new two-bed High Dependency space will be created within the children's department, to allow for some of the most unwell young people to be cared for.
Dr Lauren Filby, clinical lead for paediatrics at Ipswich Hospital, said:
“We are delighted that work has now started on this exciting project, which will transform the experience which our young patients and their families have when receiving treatment.
"The redevelopment will help us to create a modern, welcoming environment which matches the high standards of care which our staff provide.
“We have worked closely with our patients and their families as we have developed the plans to make sure that the new-look department will meet their needs and look forward to watching work progress over the coming months.”
The project has been jointly funded by the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and an appeal by the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity. Work is expected to be finished later this year.
A new £23.1m emergecy department and urgent treatment centre are also being built at Ipswich Hospital. A new breast cancer centre is under development.