Press release
Tuesday 13th May 2009

Henderson Ward at Thornbury Hospital is to get £131,000 worth of extensive improvements to ensure that single sex bathroom facilities are provided for patient’s dignity and privacy, NHS South Gloucestershire announced today.

The new improvements are part of a national initiative to improve single sex NHS accommodation by the end of June this year. Henderson Ward has twenty beds which are already divided into single sex.

With the new improvements new male and female only toilets, plus a male only and a new female only bathrooms will be provided. An additional female only shower room will be installed and a new ensuite shower room and toilet will also be built for a separate side ward room. A separate toilet for visitors will also be provided.

Whilst undertaking these improvements a more modern call bell system, provided at each bedside for patients to alert staff, will also be installed.

NHS South Gloucestershire secured funding for the improvements following a successful bid to the Strategic Health Authority, through the Privacy and Dignity Challenge Fund, and hospitals across the South West are stepping up improvements to make sure that men and women do not have to share sleeping areas, bathrooms or toilets whilst being treated as inpatients.

For reasons of safety, Henderson Ward will be temporarily closed in order to carry out the improvements, commencing on 18th May -30 June.

Alison Robinson, NHS South Gloucestershire’s Associate Director for Clinical Development (Commissioning) and Director for Prevention and Control of Infection, said: “The improvements to the ward will significantly improve the quality of the environment for patients as people prefer having the privacy of single sex facilities, particularly bathroom facilities. In order to complete the work we will have to close the ward temporarily to enable these extensive improvements to be carried out.

“The average stay in Henderson Ward is twenty two days and, as the number of beds on the ward is small, we anticipate that there will not be too much disruption over the six week closure.

“These improvements are aimed at enhancing patient’s privacy and will not subtract from the future developments which are currently being planned for Thornbury Hospital and we are exploring with local stakeholders the best way to provide future services in Thornbury to meet the health and social care needs of the local population.”

Shirley Holloway, Thornbury Councillor and Chair of Thornbury Hospital League of Friends, said: “'Planning for the development of the Thornbury Hospital site is going ahead. A full Health and Social care Needs assessment has been prepared for the PCT Board and an outline of existing services is underway. Once this is finished it will be possible to see what services are needed in the future and a Strategic Outline Case can be prepared for the PCT Board to submit to the Strategic Health Authority.

“In the meantime there is good news about the existing ward at Thornbury. Providing single sex washing and toilet facilities will be a big improvement and enhance patient’s privacy.”

For more info contact Sue Pratt, NHS South Gloucestershire’s Communications Manager, 0117 330 2499.

Notes to Editors
The development of community services at Thornbury is one of a series of developments of community facilities in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset though the timetable for the development of services at Thornbury is later than for some other community facilities.
A range of primary care and community services are being considered for provision at Thornbury. NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Council are working together to identify the services needed by the community to support their health and well-being.  The current services provided at Thornbury Hospital are included in this consideration.
The Department of Health is funding improvements worth up to £10 million across the South West through the Privacy and Dignity Challenge Fund. Hospitals across the South West are stepping up improvements to make sure that men and women do not have to share sleeping areas, bathrooms or toilets while being treated as inpatients. Patients will benefit from a new range of measures to ensure that hospitals can provide single sex accommodation in all but exceptional cases. This will be really beneficial to patients as it will enhance their privacy and dignity.

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