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A newly refurbished 31-bed respiratory ward has opened at Maidstone Hospital today (Monday 30 November).

John Day ward has been re-modelled and modernised to create a much-improved and impressive environment for our patients. It includes an enhanced care bay for patients requiring more intensive monitoring or intervention, and a negative pressure room for patients with airborne transmitted diseases such as Tuberculosis, who require isolation.

The improved ward layout has five 4-bed bays and one 3-bed bay, all with shower rooms and toilet facilities. There are also seven single rooms with en-suite facilities and an additional single room with negative pressure facilities for patients who require isolation with respiratory problems such as tuberculosis.

It has taken around 25 weeks to develop John Day at a cost of £3 million, which is taken from a budget set aside specifically for building and redevelopment/improvement projects.

Dr Ravish Mankragod, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Chairman of the Refurbishment Project Group, said: “The newly refurbished John Day ward at Maidstone will be of great benefit to our patients and staff. The ward has been re-modelled to provide the best possible care environment for those admitted to the hospital with respiratory conditions.”

This ward refurbishment is part of ongoing work and development to improve wards and other areas throughout Maidstone Hospital.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust timed the development and opening of the ward carefully to coincide with the start of winter when emergency admissions for patients with respiratory illnesses can rise by up to 50%.

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, toured the ward and met staff prior to its opening.

Helen said: “It was a pleasure to visit the new John Day Ward at Maidstone Hospital. This specialist ward will be a great asset to our community, providing fantastic quality of care.
Every time I visit the hospital, I am struck by how welcoming and kind the staff are. I am proud of our local hospital and I am glad to see them have facilities that they deserve.”