The inpatient ward at Melton Mowbray Hospital has reopened after an extensive refurbishment.

The flooring has been replaced, walls painted, light bulbs replaced, new patient and staff information boards installed, and heating and plumbing systems improved.

Jane Howden, matron for the 17-bed ward, said: “It is absolutely superb. It is going to make a really fresh, wonderful environment for patients.

“It is very calming, it is light. I am hoping patients appreciate the work that has gone in to making their stay with us as comfortable as possible.

“The flooring is absolutely beautiful – it is amazing how much difference it has made to the whole atmosphere of the ward, as well as making it safer for patients, visitors and staff.

“I would also like to thank the hospital staff who have worked in other locations during the closure, and then come back to help us get ready for patients. And I would like to thank the workers and contractors who carried out the improvements.”

Improvements have included better heating system to ensure medicines can be kept at the correct temperatures, improvements to the hot water system for patients and staff, and better ventilation,

A decision was taken to close the ward while the work was done, because of the noise and dust it would generate. Extra beds were opened at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s other community hospitals in the meantime.

The refurbishment project was delivered in partnership with NHS Property Services (NHSPS). Richard Sweetland from NHSPS said: “We are delighted to have delivered the modernised facilities for staff and patients at Melton Mowbray Hospital. A huge thank you to Adam Choina, Toby Burton and Adrian White from the in-house team who were instrumental in the painting of the ward bays and upgrading the lighting in the ward. It was a massive team effort and it shows what we can do when we work together for the benefit of our patients.”

You can see for yourself some of the improvements at: https://youtu.be/rqHi6LIklxY . For more details about working at Melton Mowbray or in any of our other teams, go to: www.leicspart.nhs.uk/jobs .