Multi-million pound plans to transform the Children’s Department at Ipswich Hospital have been submitted.
The department is in great need of an upgrade to improve and transform patient experience and care.
Clinical lead for Paediatrics Dr Lauren Filby said: “Children are a huge part of this hospital. That’s why we want to create a more welcoming and child-friendly environment for our young patients and their families or carers with much improved facilities.”
The work would see the department, which is made up of a 24-bed inpatient ward, children’s outpatient department and a short stay paediatric assessment unit, completely remodelled and refurbished.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), the organisation which runs Ipswich Hospital, has now submitted a planning application to build the new department.
Funds to make the new ward a reality are being provided in partnership between ESNEFT and The Children’s Appeal, which is being run by Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.
The charity launched the appeal in 2018 to raise the money needed to build a new children’s department at Ipswich Hospital, receiving high profile support from Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran and local farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty.
With improved facilities, such as more clinic rooms and dedicated areas for treating diabetic, cystic fibrosis and physiotherapy patients, as well as extra beds on Bergholt Ward (the children’s ward), the team will have the space they need to continue their work, which was rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission this year.
Children’s Ward matron at Ipswich Hospital Kate Stockton said: “As a department we’re very good, but we’d like the environment around us to support us better so we can offer care to more children closer to home.”
Through the local community’s fundraising efforts and NHS funding, £600,000 has already been raised. We now need more help to raise £250,000 to redevelop the department and transform the experience of young patients and their families.
Mandy Jordan, associate director of Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, said: “All the money raised and donated through The Children’s Appeal will help to create a new-look department, which will significantly improve the facilities and feel of this clinical area.
“This will help staff to continue meeting increasing demand for services while maintaining their focus on delivering a gold standard of care for every single young patient and their families.
“We would like to thank all the generous fundraisers and donors who have supported the appeal so far.”
More information about The Children’s Appeal is on the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity website.
