This week, after three and a half years of planning, the fully refurbished intensive care unit (ICU) A at Frimley Park has opened to patients. It comes a full nine months from the opening of the renovated ICU B, and the first time since 2019 that the two wards have been linked.

As with ICU B, the space has been redesigned around the specific needs of critical care patients. Bright and fresh in design, the new look has a calming influence which is therapeutic in its feel, the perfect environment within which to heal. The bed pendants emit light to aid patients suffering from delirium, and the sky panels in the ceiling give the feeling of natural light which is a welcome sight for patients, staff and visitors.

We have isolation rooms where we can care for our critically ill patients when they are most vulnerable - a learning from COVID. Plus, the addition of Omnicell ward cabinets means that dispensing medication to each patient is automated, freeing up valuable staff time.

Ana Coelho, head of nursing and AHPs for theatres and critical care, said: “A lot of time, effort and thought has been put into every element of ICU A so that we can provide the most calming environment for patients and provide them with the best, most outstanding care.”

Mary Virtue, senior matron for critical care and PACU, said: “It’s an exciting time for the team as we see and appreciate all the changes. It’s been quite a journey, but everyone has mucked in. We’ve been separated for over three years, so the feeling of all being together again is quite emotional. The response to the news that we would all be together at Christmas was quite lovely.”

At the centre of the project has been some great work from our estates and capital teams.

Cheryl Callow, capital projects manager, who has been part of the renovation works from the start, said: “I have loved working with Mary and the team. It’s been hard work, but it’s been the best project I’ve done as it makes such a positive impact to so many people. Delivering this amazing project to such a wonderful team, is really special.”