Work is in progress on the £40m phase two redevelopment of West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England, with opening targeted by next summer.

As part of the second phase, up to 40% of the original hospital building will be replaced. The new building will feature stroke rehabilitation, specialist palliative care, paediatrics and elderly care wards.

A  central outdoor courtyard space will allow natural light penetration in the wards.

Specialist stroke physiotherapist Paul Satterley said: “There is much more space and the whole area gives us much better opportunities for more effective rehabilitation. The therapy room will house various equipment like parallel bars and the outdoor courtyard will really help us to more effectively train people to walk again.” 

The elderly care unit will move to the new building, with plans for creation of single rooms and four-bedded bays.

First brick on the new extension was placed in May last year, while phase one of the project was completed in 2015. 

Matron for the ward Christine Musgrave, said: “The new ward has been specifically designed with patients at the heart and staff have been involved in that process right from the start. We know some patients want the privacy and space of a single ensuite bedroom.

“However, we also know from talking to patients, that some crave social interaction and the company of others so we will also have some 4-bedded bays. We have also worked hard to make sure the new ward will be dementia-friendly. Colour and pattern play a huge role in helping dementia patients so we will be using that to full effect.”