Refurbishment of neonatal intensive care unit
We have recently completed the refurbishment of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the fourth floor of Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, which will provide a better environment for our patients and staff.The works focused on transforming the entrance and main corridor through the intensive care area into a much brighter and more modern space, including a new floor, ceiling tiles and lights. There have also been improvements to individual rooms on the wards, including to upgrades to electrical sockets, air vents, air and oxygen ports, as well as new side lamps.
This project is part of the Trust’s wider estates investment plan and was paid for with capital backlog funding. It was a significant undertaking, with many months of planning required to ensure that the unit’s vital work caring for the most vulnerable babies could continue during the 10-day refurbishment.
The works were also an opportunity to remove a long-decommissioned MRI machine, so that the team can repurpose the space. This was a big logistical challenge, given the size of the machine and its location on the fourth floor, involving a crane lift. The NICU team are now discussing how they can make best use of the space for our patients and staff.
The project was led by Emma Smith, matron of the neonatal intensive care unit at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital. Emma said: “I’m really delighted, for both our staff team and our patients. It looks and feels like a whole new unit, one that better reflects the high quality care we offer and will ensure a better experience for the patients and families we look after.
“Huge thank you to the many people and teams who’ve been involved or supported this project, including of course the estates and facilities team, the contractors, Ian Bateman and the site team, and our infection and prevention control team. I’m also very grateful to our wider maternity and neonatal teams for being so supportive during the planning and work itself, and for ensuring we could continue to look after all our patients.”
