Hospital opens first level of £14m 100-bed block

The first floor of a £14m ward block at Norfolk’s largest hospital has been opened, with its first patients expected to begin receiving treatment this autumn.

Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk lady Dannatt MBE, unveiling a plaque in Level One of the NNUH new ward block. NNUH Chairman David White (left). Picture: NNUH - Credit: Archant

The Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk Lady Dannatt MBE visited the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) to open level one of the 100-bed block.

The first level contains 34 assessment beds for emergency patients and the new acute medical unit.

Sam Higginson, NNUH chief executive, said: “This is a fantastic development, enabling us to treat extremely sick patients – which will be vital as part of our response to any expected second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

It comes a year since building works began, with the remaining two floors set to house the 33-bed stroke unit and 25-bed high dependency unit for the hospital’s sickest patients.

Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk lady Dannatt MBE, unveiling a plaque in Level One of the NNUH new ward block. NNUH Chairman David White (left). Picture: NNUH - Credit: Archant

David White, NNUH chairman, said: “This development will allow NNUH to treat the very sickest of patients today and well into the future.”