A refurbished ward has opened its doors to welcome older adult female patients.
Skylark Ward, based at Royal Preston Hospital but run by staff from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft), was officially opened by CEO Chris Oliver on Monday (February 6th) at a special ceremony attended by staff and families of those receiving care on the ward.
Previously a rehabilitation facility within the Avondale Unit, the 11-bed ward will now accommodate adult females aged 65 and over and is a new offering to those who live or have strong family or carer connections to Preston, South Ribble and West Lancashire, meaning they can be closer to home and their loved ones while they are getting treatment.
Ward matron, Stephen Lawlor, said: “We are delighted to now be officially open and most importantly, providing somewhere for patients to call home while they receive care.
“We know that being closer to family and familiar surroundings is really important to patients and those who care about them, but is something we have previously lacked in Preston, South Ribble and West Lancashire, so has been a priority for us. Thankfully we now have an older female in-patient provision to offer to those who need it the most, nearer to where matters to them.”
The opening follows a three-month refurbishment programme, with four patients being admitted to the new ward this week and more to follow.
