Inside children’s heart unit after move to its new home
DESPITE CHALLENGES OF BREXIT AND COVID-19, £14.5M EXTENSION AT INFIRMARY IS NOW OPEN
Building, which houses the cardiac outpatient’s department, a new cardiac theatre and a new hybrid catheter lab.
As part of the second phase, a new cardiac ward situated on the first floor of the existing building has been designed with patients and their families in mind.
To help parents staying close to their children during hospital stays and treatment, the design includes four bedrooms for parents, as well as fold-down beds in patient side-rooms.
In the final phase of work, a new paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) was installed on the fifth floor.
In order to move the heart facility into the Kensington Building, the existing maternity department and the gynaecology assessment and outpatients’ services were also refurbished and relocated.
Nigel Bond, deputy director of estates and facilities at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “The people of Leicester fought a hard campaign to retain the service in this region, they can be proud of what has been achieved.
“Having Josh from Pick Everard embedded in our delivery team has been a delight and a significant contribution to the quality of the outcome.
“He has worked tirelessly with the clinical team, my staff and the contractors to ensure we got the building this service needs and deserves.”
Pick Everard provided principal designer services for all the work, and electrical and mechanical design services for part of it. Adrian Ceney, surveyor and partner at Pick Everard, said: “The importance of a healthy and supported start in life for children cannot be understated.
“We are really pleased to have delivered this particular project, which will provide that allimportant start in life for those children born with health conditions, as well as ongoing support throughout their lives.”
The new facility was partfunded by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and made possible thanks to donations to Leicester Hospitals Charity. It was celebrated by staff and the public earlier this year at a special opening day.
The people of Leicester fought a hard campaign and they can be proud of what has been achieved Nigel Bond