PATIENTS are being admitted to a new ward in a £14 million building at Salisbury District Hospital.

The Elizabeth Building, named after the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is home to the Imber Ward, which has welcomed its first patients.

This building provides 24 new beds in a state-of-the-art ward, incorporating a mixture of four-bed bays and side rooms.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said the extra beds mean elderly care patients can be looked after in a dedicated space, allowing surgical beds to be better utilised to deliver elective care, such as day surgery.

The Elizabeth Building is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with solar panels, low-carbon concrete, and heat pumps, so there is no fossil fuel used. There is also thermal insultation.

The first patients are being welcomed on to the Imber Ward

Lisa Thomas, interim CEO of the Trust, said: “We are very pleased to have built and opened our new ward, which provides elderly care in a state-of-the-art modern environment.

“Importantly, the new ward supports the Trust’s elective recovery programme, and marks a major milestone in our efforts to deliver the very best compassionate, effective care to our community, while improving our sustainability.”

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Hospital charity, the Stars Appeal, has helped equip and furnish the new ward, providing £600,000 for equipment, including the latest patient monitoring system, furnishings and artwork to create a state-of-the-art, dementia-friendly space with an enhanced environment benefiting patients, their families and staff.

Supporters of the charity were recently invited to a special private view of the ward prior to it opening to patients.

Stars Appeal patron Tiff Needell, nurse consultant James Lee and Stars Appeal patient ambassador Richard Joy at the new ward

President of the Stars Appeal, the Earl of Pembroke, said: “Imber Ward is another fantastic example of the difference that the Stars Appeal makes at Salisbury District Hospital, which is only possible thanks to donations, fundraising and, especially with this project, those who so kindly remember the charity in their Wills.

“I thank everyone who supports the Stars Appeal for their generosity in making projects like this possible.”