31 March 2021

A ward for older patients at Wexham Park Hospital has been transformed into one of the region’s few advanced dementia units thanks to a comprehensive refurbishment.

Ward 7 has been closed for three months while work was carried out to make the layout and facilities “dementia friendly”.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this week to mark the completion of the works, with project manager Jo Paris and senior sister Maria Magno doing the honours.

The unit now consists of 32 beds split between six bays and eight side rooms. It is designed to give patients more freedom by enabling them to move around the ward without supervision from staff.

There is now colourful lighting beneath beds and designated spaces have been created for activities and sensory equipment. Wall vinyls depicting Slough High Street through the years are aimed at stirring memories.

The new layout also includes more areas for staff to rest and recuperate with male and female changing areas, a larger staff room and direct access to one of the hospital’s gardens. 

Meanwhile, money raised through the Frimley Health Charity’s Dementia Appeal will be used over the coming months to transform an adjacent outdoor area into a ‘Forget me not’ garden. This enclosed area will be designed with patients’ needs in mind and will give people on the ward more freedom to go outside without supervision.   

Ward 7 is scheduled to reopen to patients in early April.