Two additional wards are about to open at Loughborough Hospital to help deal with additional patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The wards were previously used as training and meeting rooms, but have been brought back into action as part of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s preparations.
There are now an additional 36 beds at Loughborough, on top of the 24 at the existing Swithland Ward.
Other capacity is being created at Coalville Community Hospital and at the Evington Centre in Leicester, with the possibility of further beds elsewhere in the Trust as the need arises.
Over the past two weeks, LPT has taken delivery of:
- 100 hospital beds
- 100 mattresses
- 100 bedside and over-bed tables
- 50 oxygen concentrators
- 400 infra red non-contact thermometers.
Inpatient matron Jane Howden said: “In response to the potential need for additional beds, Charnwood ward and Gracedieu ward have been renovated with a total of 36 beds.
“We are ready and waiting for patients.”
She added that there had been additional training for ward staff, many of whom had been redeployed from other NHS roles and would be unused to mainly older and immobile patients. The training has included how to safely put on and remove personal protective equipment, and how to safely move otherwise immobile patients.
Jane Howden added: “We are always looking for new recruits and more volunteers. Should you feel that you would be able to help at this time, please contact us: www.leicspart.nhs.uk/jobs .”
You can see some of the preparations on this video: https://youtu.be/wBN793pGa3Q .