A NEW ward at Hillingdon Hospital has been named in honour of the founder of the NHS.

The Bevan Ward, after Nye Bevan, was selected out of more than 30 suggestions from staff.

Other names short listed include Brunel Ward in recognition of the nearby university and Seacole Ward, after Mary Seacole, the famous 19th century nurse.

Jacqueline Totterdell, director of operations, said: "Of the more than 30 names put forward, including the Diamond Ward, because the ward is so shiny and new, the Bevan Ward was chosen to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS."

The new ward was completed in August and will be used by the Department of Health and Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust to test out the use of single bedroom wards.

If patients and staff are pleased with the pilot's progress, the research could influence the design of the new Hillingdon Hospital and other sites across the NHS.