Respiratory Service reopens at the Queen’s Medical Centre following significant ward refurbishment | Latest news

In October 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, ARCU was temporarily moved to Nightingale 2 (NG2) ward at the City Hospital campus as it became evident that the ward had inadequate ventilation and was not compliant with the required Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards. Following £3.5 million of investment, the Unit has now moved back to the newly refurbished ward at the QMC.

The ward has 12 beds, as before, but with a new configuration of 2 x 4 bedded bays and 4 single isolation rooms, meaning more privacy and comfort for patients. The new ward will also have an increased number of nurses to address the national recommendations.

Commenting on the improvements, Thomas Matthew, Clinical Director for Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Respiratory medicine, said: “We are excited to be looking after patients in our improved Advanced Respiratory Care Unit. Ensuring our patients have the best facilities possible during their time in our care is a key priority, which is why we are pleased to have been able to make these important investments. I would like to thank our staff who have overseen and delivered this project. We look forward to caring for patients in the new ward.”

ARCU specialises in caring for patients who are acutely unwell with respiratory illnesses. Respiratory services at NUH treat conditions including:

• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Idiopathic Plumonary Fibrosis
• Lung Cancer.
• Tuberculosis

NUH Respiratory also offers:

• Sleep and Ventilation services
• National centre for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
• Tertiary endoscopy service providing EBUS and the  only centre that provides Endobronchial valves for Lung volume reduction in the region

Over the longer term, we will be making significant further improvements to our hospitals as one of the Trusts set to receive funding through the Government’s New Hospitals Programme. We are calling these proposals ‘Tomorrow’s NUH’. Find out more on our website: www.nuh.nhs.uk/tomorrows-nuh