The new intensive care unit at St Mary’s Hospital, which will provide critically unwell patients with improved technology and an enhanced environment to support their recovery and rehabilitation, has officially opened. The new unit now offers private bed spaces and more natural lighting providing patients with quieter, more private spaces flooded with natural light to support recovery and rehabilitation. The opening of the new intensive care unit is the latest milestone in the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s ‘Investment In Our Future’ programme, a once-in-a-generation multi-million-pound investment into the Island’s NHS services. Louise Timoney, a former ICU patient, was invited by the critical care team to officially open the unit – and at the same time, she handed over a cheque for £5,000. Louise explains:
“St Mary’s ICU and all past and present staff hold a special place in my heart. In late 2016, at just 17, I was admitted to the ward. Without the hard work of all the team including doctors, nurses, care assistants, cleaners, physios and dieticians, I wouldn’t be where I am today. “In 2021 my workplace, GKN Aerospace, offered us apprentices an opportunity to give back to our community, the ICU instantly sprung to my mind, from my personal experience and the support they provided to the community during the pandemic. We decided to set ourselves a fundraising target of £3,000 to give the relatives’ room a makeover. “We smashed our target and raised just under £5,000 through a number of fundraising events. This coincided with amazing news that work was beginning to extend and update the ICU, so a halt was put on the project while work was completed. It is fantastic to see the transformation and I can’t wait to see how the funds will enhance the two new relatives rooms even further.”
Dr Muriel Prager, Clinical Director for Critical Care Services, has said:
“It really does give me great pleasure and joy to see our new Intensive Care Unit become operational this month. The ability to provide modern, state of the art Critical Care Services right here on our island, for residents and visitors alike, has always been one of the top priorities of our Trust. “Throughout the history of healthcare on the Isle of Wight, tremendous resources have been invested into that goal. Much has been achieved, over many years and now we have reached another milestone in that ongoing endeavour. “Our well designed, modern new unit is equipped with all the latest, cutting edge medical technology. But most importantly, we continue to be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the most caring, and most competent staff anyone could wish for. “It is a reassuring thought for our entire island community, that no matter how severe a medical condition may be, a world class team of compassionate Nurses, Doctors and allied health care professionals are here to help them through even the hardest of times.”
Patients in the existing, temporary ICU were transferred to the new unit on Tuesday 9th April. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZx5RFRgucg
We need a bigger hospital with more staff, not just a small extension
Sorry no money left after they’ve blown the whole budget on half a dozen beds.
Seely will pop up and claim he was instrumental in getting it for the island.
Yes, where is Wally – er, Dr Bob? Did he have a prior photo-op commitment?
We just need to have the shortage of NHS dentists, doctors and care providers to be sorted and then everything will be OK. I am not holding my breath.
£48m of government money allocated over 5 years ago, £10m of which we then had to give to Portsmouth hospital for their extra beds which would be needed because our hospital couldn’t cope and our sick could then be shipped across. It was supposed to also be for Ambulance service and outreach services, but time and soaring costs mean this ^^ is it. No extra funding (different pot) for more staff to run it though. The building itself, all shiny and new, is owned by the PFI contract holders and rented back to us at inflationary costs. Now doff your caps and say ‘thankyou lovely Tories for spending our money on assets for private investors instead of proper care for the sick.’
22 over paid persons in this picture, no wonder the NHS is skint
You should see what private companies charge for medicine.
NHS is for the people that work for it about 2million people employed directly or on contract for it thats where the money goes trusts with in trusts
ICU is a place nobody wants to go and then nobody wants to leave.
They looked after my father with such skill and care in the old ICU.
I can only imagine the staff will appreciate the new environment they work in.
Patients will be so grateful for any extra facilities that may now be available.
‘most competent staff anyone could wish for’ how about adding ‘in the whole wide world’ and popping some golden stickers on their uniforms for the photo shoot?