A REFURBISHED ward at Hillingdon Hospital with separate areas for male and female patients has been officially opened today (Wednesday).

Fleming Ward, renovated to protect the dignity and privacy of its patients, was opened at 1.30pm by Councillor Mary O'Connor, who is also chair of the London Health Commission.

The Fleming Ward is the new ward for the hospital's Emergency Assessment Unit, at the hospital in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon.

It includes, improved toilet and shower facilities, purpose built features including specialist equipment for those with Deep Vein Thrombosis, and a new nurse call system, where the ward sister can monitor how long it takes nurses to respond to patient calls.

Referrals to the ward are received via the GP or the A&E department and patients stay between 24 and 48 hours.

An average of 754 patients stay in the unit each month, and in 2008-2009 a total of 8,956 patients were admitted.

As part of the spruce-up, the ward has also received a new lick of paint, to brighten it up.

The refurbishment is part of a £2 million scheme to ensure that where possible, male and female patients are cared for in separate areas of the ward.

Upgrades to bath, shower and toilet facilities have been completed on ITU, Fracture Clinic and Churchill Ward with work currently under way on the remaining wards.

The way in which wards use their beds has also been changed so they are compliant with the same sex accommodation standards.

The Trust is also raising staff awareness of the importance of privacy and dignity, building on the processes that are already in place.

For pictures of the opening, see next Wednesday's Gazette, out on November 11.