South Tyneside Intensive Care Unit

Overview

Tolent completed a new six-bed intensive care unit for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust at South Tyneside District Hospital.

Works included stripping out an existing, vacant ward and layout alterations to create the new state-of-the-art facility.

The footprint of the unit has been increased to allow for new equipment and room for staff to work. New facilities include a dedicated family room, reception area, quiet room, seminar rooms, changing spaces, and a break room.

The six individual rooms to care for patients feature smart glass that can be turned opaque to provide privacy and dignity for patients and families and can then turn clear to help staff carry out observations.

An entrance at the rear of the hospital has been created, allowing families to access the ward directly and supporting the transfer of patients via ambulance.

The new unit now mirrors the set-up of the Integrated Critical Care Unit (ICCU) at Sunderland Royal Hospital, which makes it much easier for staff who work across both sites.

The new ward was created within the footprint of the vacated Sterile Services Department on the South Tyneside District Hospital site. Works comprised of the stripping out of existing fixtures, fittings and finishes from ground floor areas of the Ingham Wing at South Shields District Hospital. Layout alterations included: demolition of existing walls and forming new partitions; new suspended ceilings, external doors and windows, flooring, decoration; new fixtures and fittings; new mechanical, electrical and ventilation works and the formation of a new metal platform at first floor roof level, to carry a new Air Handling Unit