New Walsall neonatal unit set to open its doors

A new £5.6m neonatal unit at Walsall Manor Hospital will be up and running in just a few weeks' time, now that a major construction project has drawn to a close.

As part of the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust investment the unit houses a purpose-built intensive therapy unit and high dependency unit, and a new obstetric theatre has also been created.

Construction work has been completed and final decoration work and staff training is underway so the unit is expected to open, on schedule, in November.

Caroline Whyte, Walsall Healthcare's Divisional Director of Nursing – Children, Young People and Neonates, says: "Our staff can't wait to start working in this beautiful new, airy environment, which is such an improvement on the existing unit. We've increased our provision to 20 cots – taking our HDU cots from two to four and our special care cots from 11 to 14 – and the extra space we have is fantastic.

"The construction has been a challenge in as much as parts of this expansion have had to be live and running alongside the existing unit. Staff have been so accommodating, ensuring safe, high quality care has not been compromised while juggling the demands of a major expansion project."

Neonatal Unit Senior Nurse/Ward Manager Lisa Poston adds: "As well as the much-needed investment in neonatal care that this represents there are also some lovely features in the new unit.

"We've got a special bell that can be rung when babies are ready to go home and in some windowless areas we've got some stunningly colourful light panels. It's a unit to be proud of and we can't wait to see it up and running."