Press release: October 26 2018
2018/063

Patients advised to allow extra time for appointments as work on new ward begins at Hereford County Hospital.

Patients are being advised to allow extra time for attending appointments at Hereford County Hospital between now and December this year, as work begins on a new 24-bedded ward. 

Groundworks have begun in preparation for the arrival of the 24-bedded modular ward which is due to arrive early in November and is set to open its doors to patients in December.  It will increase the hospital’s capacity to treat more patients quickly and safely. 

Due to the location of the new ward at the front of the hospital some of the spaces in the main car park are being provided in other car parks on the hospital site and those arriving by car are advised that there will be construction traffic and workmen on the site.

Alan Dawson, director of strategy and planning at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We’re advising patients that in order to avoid any delays with getting to their appointments, they should allow plenty of time for parking at the hospital, or consider parking near to the hospital, if possible, whilst work on the new ward is underway.

“We are providing the same number of parking spaces for patients and visitors and will endeavour to minimise any disruption caused, but there may be times when it will take longer to access the car parks or the drop-off zone due to works taking place and extra traffic on site as a result of these works.

“To make way for the new ward we have re-located the Retinal Treatment Unit which is now closer to the main entrance to the hospital, and the quickest way to access the Emergency Department from main reception will be through the hospital itself rather than through the car park, which is where the new 24-bedded ward is to be located, unless out of hours when access is via the main Emergency Department entrance.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

“The new ward will make a real difference to the quality of care we can deliver to our patients this winter”.

The Trust is installing signage at the main entrance to keep visitors to the hospital informed of progress.

Ends

For further information please contact:

John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928 or Amanda Millichip/Fiona Gurney, Communications officer 01432 355444 ext. 5105.