pounds 1.9m revamp on ward

WORK is under way on a major pounds 1.9m ward refurbishment at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

The ward will also be one of the first hospitals to trial new hospital furniture designed by the Design Council. The new space-age furniture is designed to be easily cleaned and reduce the risk of infection.Ward 21 is an L-shaped ward with separate wings for male and female patients with 18 beds in single room and small room accommodation. There will be ensuite bathroom facilities and ward furniture and furnishings which comply with the highest infection prevention and control standards.A project, to upgrade ward 21, a stroke rehabilitation ward, into a state-of-the-art unit is now under way. It follows a similar transformation on wards 10 and 17 and all three represent a major investment totalling nearly pounds 6m.The work is expected to take six months.Frank Gibbons, director of estates and facilities, said: "This is a very exciting project for both patients and staff. This is part of our rolling programme of major and minor upgrades on wards right across the hospital aimed at creating a better environment for everyone."There will also be extra specially-adapted physiotherapy rooms for the rehabilitation care for patients.

Frank Gibbons, director of estates and facilities, said: "This is a very exciting project for both patients and staff. This is part of our rolling programme of major and minor upgrades on wards right across the hospital aimed at creating a better environment for everyone."