£500k revamp at Sandwell Hospital

A £500,000 transformation of services is under way at Sandwell Hospital, bosses revealed today.

The children's wards and fracture clinic are getting an overhaul with new facilities to be unveiled within weeks.

Hospital chiefs say the revamps will benefit patients for years to come.

Young patients will benefit from single-sex accommodation on three wards, as well as new play areas and a new reception.

The wards being transformed are Lyndon Ground, Lyndon One and Priory Ground. The final completed sections will be unveiled on March 31.

The pharmacy at City Hospital is also undergoing a £119,740 overhaul, which will see a conveyer belt installed to speed up the process of taking medication to the front desk.

The announcements have been made by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals as well as Rowley Regis Hospital.

Spokeswoman Helen Eden said: "The refurbishments include new single-sex accommodation and will improve the experience of our patients, with new play areas, parent areas, and reception meet and greet areas."

Chiefs say the work will also improve clinical space and working environment.

Developments at the fracture clinic will provide additional plaster room facilities.

Abbey ward Councillor Ann Jaron, who works as a GP in Birmingham, said the improvements were 'always welcome'.

The signing of contracts for construction work for all three projects is expected to be approved at a hospital trust board meeting tomorrow, despite work already having been started.