Hospital’s single patient room goes on display

NHS Dumfries and Galloway are inviting members of the public to view the mock-up throughout April and May, explaining that it replicates each of the 344 single rooms planned for the new hospital.
Associate nurse director Margo Christie will be on hand to answer any questions and said: “We are delighted to offer the public this opportunity to take a look for themselves before the hospital opens, and to really understand the benefits of the single room.
“The benefits include a reduction in cross infection, improved privacy, dignity and confidentiality, and reduced noise levels, particularly at night.”
Plans to move from shared wards to single rooms at the new facility at Garroch Loaning near Cargenbridge had prompted an outcry.
Retired public health consultant Dr John Womersley and Rev Douglas Irving lodged a petition with the Scottish Government opposing the plans.
They had argued that single rooms would see mistreatment more likely to occur and cardiac arrest more likely to be missed, but the claims were rejected by NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Heralding the new single room design, Margo said: “We hope that people will be pleasantly surprised by the layout of the room and the associated en-suite facility. The overall appearance is light and spacious.
“We are making the most of technological advances by introducing a new nurse call communication system, and are working closely with our staff to implement new ways of working prior to the move to the new hospital.”
High Wood Health’s construction partner Laing O’Rourke created the mock up single room with en-suite facility, on site at the existing DGRI.
Located on the ground floor close to the main dining room, the mock-up will be open to the public every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout April and May between 1 pm and 2 pm, and from 6 pm to 7.30 pm on Tuesdays.
Currently under construction, the new DGRI is on schedule for handover to the NHS board in September 2017 and will open its doors to patients in December 2017.