Pictures have been taken around the revamped Beccles Hospital following the completion of £1.65m project.
The hospital has entered a new era following the completion of the work, and inpatients moved back into the facility this week.
Adele Madin, ECCH director of adult services, said the new ward will improve the overall patient experience.
She said: “The finished result has exceeded all our expectations.
“It will improve not only the patient experience but working life for our staff.
“The ward refurbishment, new side rooms and en-suite facilities will ensure that every patient can enjoy the highest levels of privacy and dignity.
“In the past patients would have to wander across the corridors to access bathroom facilities which is something they no longer have to do.
“We would like to thank the League of Friends who made us a generous donation.”
NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) reopened the 20-bed revamped Minsmere Ward on Tuesday.
The ward will then become an intermediate care unit on April 1 after East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH), which runs the hospital, has recruited additional staff, including therapists and social workers.
It will provide intense rehabilitation and reablement so that patients can return to an independent life as quickly as possible.
Eight single en-suite rooms will be available, along with three four-bed bays with separate toilet and washing facilities. Oxygen will be piped to every bedside, while patients will be able to undergo intensive rehabilitation in a dedicated therapy area.
The ward has been designed to be welcoming, logical and comforting, and uses colours, text and images which meet dementia-friendly standards.
The external spaces have also been designed with vulnerable patients in mind, and include a ‘dementia garden’ with seating and raised planters.
Sean Perry, principal construction manager at NHS Property Services, said: “This major renovation of Beccles Hospital will significantly improve the experience of patients and we have been pleased to support the enhancement of the site and look forward to it reopening.
“We recognise that the hospital is a vital asset to the local community and we have provided £500k of investment to ensure the building meets all necessary safety and legislative requirements and supports the provision of safe and quality services for many years to come.”
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