£1.2 million upgraded HDU opens at Arrowe Park Hospital

A new £1.2million upgraded High Dependency Unit has opened at Wirral University Teaching Hospital to enhance care for some of the Trust’s most poorly patients.

The High Dependency Unit (HDU) based at the Arrowe Park Hospital site, cares for patients who have been stepped down from intensive care but who require more extensive care than in a ward area.

Following a 12-week refurbishment, the new HDU has opened and will provide enhanced care for patients. The facility includes six specialist side rooms, improved infection prevention and control measures, as well as a new ventilation system allowing even better care, especially catering for the needs of patients with COVID-19.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “It is fantastic that the new High Dependency Unit has opened, and this will help us provide the best care we possibly can for our most vulnerable patients.

“We are continuing to care for patients with and without COVID-19 in our hospital. The upgraded facilities and enhanced infection control measures will improve our ability to cater for the complex needs of those patients.

“We are committed to investing in our hospitals so we can continue to improve care and patient experience.”

The project was designed using 3d design software and virtual reality was used to show HDU staff how it would look. This enabled the HDU team to submerge themselves into their new facility before it was completed and provide key feedback to the design team.

The Trust invested £1.2 million into the project and this is one of several capital projects undertaken at its hospitals to improve facilities for patients over the past six months.

During winter, the Trust opened a brand-new area within its Emergency Department after it was awarded Government funding for the £1 million upgrade, which was aimed at improving emergency care for patients. The upgrade provided eight side rooms, offering greater infection prevention and control measures and enhanced patient safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March this year, the Trust also opened a new state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheter Lab for heart patients following a £1.2 million refurbishment. Around 1000 procedures, such as implantation of pacemakers, are carried out in the Cardiac Catheter Lab at Arrowe Park Hospital each year.

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Photo captions:

Photo 1

Pictured left to right in the new HDU are Wirral University Teaching Hospital staff: Nadine Weeks, Lead Nurse for Critical Care; Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive; Jane Waites, Critical Care Specialist Staff Nurse; Kara Dulson, Environmental and Safety Matron; Emma Quinn, Critical Care Specialist Staff Nurse and Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive.

Photo 2

One of the side rooms in the new HDU.

Photos by Jacelyn Emery.