A £1.6m project to improve the quality of care that patients receive at Beccles Hospital has been unveiled.

The hospital’s Minsmere Ward will be undergoing a major refurbishment, a dedicated therapy area will be developed and the number of en-suite single rooms available will be doubled as part of the plan.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has applied for planning permission for the transformation, which comes as part of the its commitment to transforming community-based services.

And if Waveney District Council gives the scheme the go-ahead later this spring, work will begin in the summer.

The project will see the Minsmere Ward re-configured and the number of single rooms increased from four to eight, three bays refurbished and dedicated en-suite bathrooms installed in each single room and bay to improve privacy for patients.

There will also be a fully-equipped gym and therapy area.

Andy Evans, CCG chief executive said: “The redevelopment at Beccles Hospital represents a significant investment for the CCG and will dramatically improve services for patients.

“We have been working hard to roll-out the improvements described in the shape of the system consultation so that more of our patients can benefit from high quality, effective services delivered closer to their homes or at home.

“We will be refurbishing the ward, doubling the number of side rooms and adding new en-suite facilities so that every patient can enjoy the highest levels of privacy and dignity and make the hospital dementia friendly.

“Additional therapy areas will also be created to help patients recover so that they can return home sooner or receive therapy whilst remaining at home.”

During the construction, the inpatient beds will temporarily relocate to the Laurel Ward at Carlton Court, in Lowestoft and it is hoped the new look hospital will be open by Christmas.

Jonathan Williams, chief executive of ECCH, which runs the hospital, said: “We are very pleased that NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCG wants to make this investment to improve facilities at Beccles Hospital and help us continue providing local people with the highest possible quality of care.

“We are working very closely with the CCG on the redesign and looking to ensure that the relocation will cause the least disruption possible to patients.

“We appreciate it will mean some changes for both patients and our staff in the short term, but we know we can provide the same high level of care at Carlton Court and we are very grateful to our staff for taking a flexible approach to the prospect of a temporary move.”

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