Two new wards to open at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Two new, modern wards at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) are set to open today, providing a positive impact for patients this winter and beyond.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place to mark the official opening of the wards. The wards represent a major significant milestone in the ongoing improvement of local healthcare services.

The new facilities were officially opened by former patient Nick Taylor and his wife, alongside hospital staff, contractors, and community partners.

Nick, who spent ten months as an inpatient at RSH, said: “To have the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the wards has been wonderful. It was also lovely to catch up with the lovely staff who cared for me and to see the much-improved facilities.”

Becoming home to gastroenterology and surgical services, which will move from Ward 25, the wards deliver an additional 56 inpatient beds. This will enable more joined up working and improved access between our surgical and rehabilitation teams, as well as provide a much-improved healthcare environment for patients.

Designed in collaboration with the clinical teams, the wards feature more modern staff bases, spacious single rooms and enhanced infection prevention and control measures.

As part of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s (SaTH) wider urgent and emergency care improvement plans, the wards are releasing additional space in the centre of

the RSH site on Ward 25 for a new general medical ward. This will provide clinical space needed for teams to continue to provide the right care, at the right time.

Ned Hobbs, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The opening of the wards marks an important step forward in our commitment to improving healthcare for our communities.

“These new wards not only expand our capacity ready for winter but also reflect our focus on creating environments that support high-quality patient recovery and wellbeing. We’re incredibly proud of the teams who have worked to bring this vision to life.

“Our 56 new beds at RSH are complemented with 40 new acute assessment spaces opening at PRH this month too.”

Contractors, ModuleCo, completed ninety percent of construction off-site meaning minimal disruption to patients and staff. Inside the new two-storey modular facility, patients can expect larger, more modern patient bays which will improve the experience for patients and staff.

Jonathan Brindley, Sales Director for ModuleCo, said: “It has been a pleasure working with the Trust to deliver this much-needed additional capacity.

“In eight months we have been able to provide a facility built to the latest standards while minimising the disruption to ongoing hospital activities.

“I want to thank everyone involved in the project, as it showcases the very best of what can be achieved when all stakeholders are brought together to deliver a common goal.”

Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, said: “These are very exciting times for our hospital with these new wards coming hot on the heels of September’s opening of the new phase of the Emergency Department’s ‘Majors and Resus’ areas.

“This saw the space in the old A&E transformed into a clean modern facility with twice the number of bays and improved infection, prevention control measures and ambulance assessment area. And now we’re seeing the opening of these two new wards – providing excellent facilities for gastroenterology and colorectal services. They will provide more joined-up working and improved access between our surgical and rehabilitation teams.”