Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Northumbria, UK, has completed the second phase of its programme to enhance facilities at Hexham General Hospital for both patients and staff.
The project has required a £15m ($19.9m) investment over the past two years and has been delivered in collaboration with Identity Consult and Integrated Health Projects (IHP).
Its first phase added a maternity unit equipped with advanced technology designed to improve the birthing experience for expectant mothers.
The recently finalised second phase includes a refurbished Oncology Day unit with five treatment spaces and 16 chairs for patient use.
A bespoke women's health suite has also been created, featuring redesigned clinical rooms with en-suite facilities and a recovery area to facilitate one-stop treatment.
The hospital's endoscopy services have also been upgraded, with the former maternity unit converted into an advanced endoscopy facility.
This includes two recovery rooms, two procedure rooms and various utility rooms.
In addition, the dentistry and oral surgery department now has two major and two minor surgery rooms, offices for consultants, and a dedicated area for children, particularly those with additional needs.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals executive director Marion Dickson said: “This is a significant investment in Hexham General Hospital, the benefits of which local people will see for many years to come.
“It is another example of just how innovative we are at Northumbria, exploring new technologies that improve both staff and patient experience.”
The programme's third and final phase will focus on refurbishing the hospital's four operating theatres.
These upgrades will support practices such as robotic surgery, which has already shown success at other Northumbria Healthcare-managed hospital sites.
The operating theatres will be equipped with modern laminar flow systems to reduce the risk of infection while increasing flexibility and resilience for surgical and orthopaedic procedures.
