A touching moment with a dying patient was the moment a vision was set in motion to revamp one of our cancer wards.
The patient was concerned that the tired and outdated Somersham Ward would be the last thing she remembered.
Now, energy-saving LED lights, dementia-friendly flooring, wet rooms, a children’s playroom and streamlined nurse stations have been installed during a six-week transformation, along with soothing ceiling murals that depict a blue sky when illuminated, to transform the unit into a modern, uplifting place to be cared for.
Somersham Ward sister Helen Scordis, matrons Laura Mallett and Tina Leppard and housekeeper Fiona Steward were the main drivers of this project from the ward.
Helen said:
The ward was horrible. I remember speaking to a patient who was dying and she asked me, ‘is this the last thing I will remember?
We had a conversation with the Trust directors and got things going. The changes are amazing and surpass anything I was expecting.
Medical director Crawford Jamieson:
The ward boasts a really good use of technology, it has special finishes that makes it resistant to bacteria, eco-friendly lighting and a real involvement of patients.
There are many graphical displays that will make a real difference and that is a result of the dedication of the Somersham Ward team who know the needs of their patients.
Previous ward refurbishments throughout the Trust only half the area of Somersham have previously taken on average 12 weeks to complete so to undertake the refurbishment in half that time has been a huge benefit to the Trust and to patients.
Fundraising to help the project came from the Somersham Ward Support Group, the Butterfly charity and Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity, while the project was undertaken and completed by Turners Construction and various sub-contractors.
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