New £18.5 million ward at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital will offer “private sector” standards of care

An £18.6 million ward providing “private sector” standards of care is due to open next month.

The 62-bed ward, at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, will have an Acute Cardiac Unit (ACU) - catering for patients with heart problems - and an Acute Medical Unit (AMU) - for people referred to hospital by their GP’s.

The AMU, which is due to open July 10, will contain 24 beds and 14 specialist trolleys and the ACU, which is due to open on July 8, will contain 38 beds.

Diana Gorog, consultant cardiologist, said: “This ward will provide the standard of care you get in the private sector on the NHS.

“It’s light and airy and there’s plenty of space for patients, families and staff.”

The AMU has a target of patients seeing a consultant within 15 minutes of arrival and aims for them to leave or be admitted within four hours.

Rachel Quail. consultant in emergency medicine, said: “When people come into hospital we have to give them the right care, in the right place first time.

“A lot of thought has gone into the design of this unit which means it will be able to deliver that standard of care.”