Health Matters - London Bridge Hospital

UpdatesLondon Bridge HospitalRefurbishments on TrackThe first phase of a major expansionand renewal programme at LondonBridge Hospital has been completed.The hospital is undergoing a £12 millionbuilding programme which includes thecreation of two new state-of-the-artoperating theatre suites and a new10-bed ITU.The hospital now has seven operatingtheatres and two new suites, which costover £6 million, and are equipped withthe latest Stryker telemetry and displayequipment.The new £3 million Intensive CareUnit will have three isolation baysfor critically ill patients who, apartfrom their primary illness, may alsohave serious infections when they areadmitted.In addition, a new hybrid laboratory forcardio-vascular treatments is being builtto complement the hospital’s existingstate-of-the-art catheter laboratories.Many of the hospital’s patient roomshave been redesigned and re-equippedand by the time that phase two ofthe work is completed in July 2011,London Bridge Hospital will house over130 beds, making it one of the largestprivate hospitals in the UK.The hospital’s main reception areais being redesigned and the EmblemHouse admissions and outpatientscentre has already been reconfiguredand renewed to provide better facilitiesfor patients.A new physiotherapy facility is beingprepared close by the hospital’s mainbuilding and staff facilities, including anew restaurant, have also been built.John Reay, Chief Executive Officer ofthe hospital, said this major renewaland expansion operation was drivenby increasing demand for complexprocedures. “We had simply run outof space and needed to expand ourfacilities in practically every area,” hesaid. “London Bridge Hospital has someof the finest Consultants and specialistmedical teams and the demand forour services – particularly for morecomplex treatments – has grownsteadily in recent years.”“Most of the latest complexprocedures in cardiology,cardiothoracic surgery, liver surgery,gastroenterology and many morespecialties are carried out hereand we are very proud that someprocedures have actually beendeveloped here,” he said.“It is vital that we remainahead of the game andretain our reputationas one of the bestequipped hospitals inthe country. There’smore work to do andI would like to thankall our patients, ourdoctors and our stafffor their patience whilethis vital work has beenprogressing,” said Mr Reay.London BridgeUpdate...Due to ongoing refurbishments,lifts on the east side of thehospital will not be operationalduring construction of the newCritical Care Unit. LondonBridge apologises for anyinconvenience caused and allefforts will be made to keepnoise levels to a minimum untilthe refurbishment programmeis complete in July 2011.EIGHTEENUpdates