ICU refurbishment at Royal Berkshire Hospital hits new milestone

The refurbishment of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Intensive Care Unit hit a new milestone this month with the opening of the completely refurnished and redesigned pod to patients.

Since 2022, the ICU at Royal Berkshire Hospital has been undergoing an £3 million refurbishment to improve the working environment for staff, and clinical space for patients.

The pod houses eleven of the twenty-one beds in the Intensive Care Unit. The changes to the refurbished facilities include new direct access between both clinical areas, improved staff rest facilities, a new pharmacy, new patient side rooms which utilise smart privacy glass, increased natural lighting, and a new clinical education and simulation space.

Overall work on the ICU is set to be completed by Spring 2025 which will include a new quiet room, handover room and clinical side room. Refurbished offices and visitor areas were completed in 2023.

Helen McCarthy, Sister at Royal Berkshire’s ICU, said: “Although the new pod has only been open for a few weeks, we can already see the difference it is having for our staff and patients. The improved facilities not only look amazing but will help us deliver outstanding care to our patients.”

Steve McManus, Chief Executive Officer for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is fantastic to see the completion of this important step in our ICU refurbishment. This project would not have been possible without the tireless work of our estates development team, and the patience and diligence of our staff in our ICU. I’d also like to thank colleagues in General Surgery, Adult Day Surgery Unit and Surgical Assessment Unit whose temporary relocation and helped make this development possible.

“We know the difference that an environment can have on patient care and staff experience, so it is fantastic to see the early successes of this refurbishment.”