Beds boost for Burnley General

Phase 1 of the new £1m. centre, featuring an additional 14 beds for short stay surgery and a purpose-built procedure room, opened on schedule at the beginning of October.

The development is another boost to the hospital following last week’s news that it would become a teaching base for student medics from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Gillian Simpson, executive director of Operations at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This substantial investment in facilities at Burnley General Teaching Hospital means we have extra capacity to perform more surgery and provide better treatment for patients.

“A significant number of patients who need endoscopy, minor surgery and day case procedures will now benefit from larger, purpose built diagnostic and treatment facilities in the new East Lancashire Elective Centre.”

Work continues to finish a new Endoscopy Suite which should open early 2017, a patient centred infusion suite and extra treatment room which will be ready by the end of year as the Trust gears up for an anticipated increased demand for day surgery and minor procedures.

“Demand for the type of procedures and treatments that will be carried out at the East Lancashire Elective Centre are expected to increase significantly in the coming years,” said transformation manager Clare Owen.

She added: “We’re confident that the new facility will be extremely well-used, including the state-of-the-art room which is purpose-built for minor procedures.

“Although the new Elective Centre is designed to meet the needs of patients and visitors, the response from our staff has also been very positive and there is a good relationship with the construction team from IHP which gives us confidence that the remaining work will finish on time.

“The response from patients has been overwhelmingly positive with several reluctantly having to say goodbye to the ward after their day surgery.”

Senior Sister Nicola Metcalfe said: “Our patients really feel at home on the new ward.

“More than one has wished we could look after them all the time but we need the beds as we look forward to treating lots of patients in the coming months.”