New £15m hospital ward promising 'privacy and dignity' for patients

The Concept Ward was officially opened on Thursday (May 25) with healthcare bosses boasting the facility shows how hospitals across the UK could look in the future. 

The ward accommodates 28 patients across 20 single en-suite bedrooms and two four-bedded bays.

Patients can spend time in a day room and in the garden area, while staff will have use of a rest room and kitchen and changing rooms.

One of the single side rooms in the new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The en-suite rooms have a large window for natural light and come with a fold-up bed so that a patient can have a loved-one stay overnight.

Next to the beds, a console bearing an advanced call system means that patients can, at the touch of a button, speak directly with staff.

Other modern tweaks include mood lighting above the beds which the patients themselves can control, and staggered beds which allow some privacy in a shared room. 

Dame Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, ready to cut the ribbon to open the new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital in front of staff, guests and the press. (Image: Denise Bradley)

In the main corridor, the central nurses' station has been replaced with a series of 'touch points' where they can look into several rooms from one place.

The ward, which has been funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, was developed and designed following feedback from a number of sources including staff and patients.

Dame Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, unveils the plaque at the opening of the new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital. (Image: Denise Bradley)

During the opening ceremony, the ribbon was cut by Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, who said: "It's wonderful to be here this morning at the James Paget to open the Concept Ward."

James Paget chief nurse Paul Morris said: "When we were given the funding to create the ward, we saw that we had a golden opportunity to create something really innovative, involving our staff.

"Feedback from patients and staff using the ward will be key and, as the facility is used in the coming months by different wards from across the hospital, we will build a rich picture from their experiences, to help inform ward design in our new hospital."

READ MORE: New £15m ward offers glimpse at Gorleston hospital's future

Paul Morris, chief nurse, shows Dame Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, pictures of the building of the new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The new ward "puts patients at the centre, surrounded by our staff" and "improves the privacy and dignity of patients", he said.

Lessons were learned during Covid care about the importance of infection control, which will be enhanced with single rooms for patients.

Mr Morris started his nursing career in 1999 and said that he would have felt "really excited" as a student coming into such a ward.

READ MORE: AT LAST! Norfolk hospital rebuild FINALLY confirmed

Last minute checks in one of the multi bedrooms in the new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Concept Ward was developed in conjunction with healthcare design and construction company Health Spaces, using time-saving building methods with modules constructed at a factory while ground works were progressing on-site.

In December 2022, more than 35 modules - some as long as 16 metres - were pieced together in just over a week to construct the building.

The ward will have a lifespan of 50 years and will form part of a new health campus which also includes a proposed Diagnostic Assessment Centre, housing the latest X-Ray, CT and MRI scanners.

READ MORE: Designs unveiled for new James Paget Hospital

The new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital main corridor. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Staff and patients are expected to start moving into the ward within the next two weeks.

The James Paget, which opened its doors in 1982, has reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) panels across its main building, which are the subject of a programme of survey and engineering work to ensure the hospital remains safe until the new hospital is built.

The new concept ward at the James Paget Hospital. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Also on Thursday (May 25), the government confirmed that the James Paget will receive full funding to be completely rebuilt by 2030.

Jo Segasby, chief executive of the James Paget, said: “We are delighted to be a significant step closer to our vision of a modern hospital that will meet the needs of our patients and communities in the future.”

The new concept ward will provide a blueprint for how inpatients will receive care when the new hospital is built.