New £19m critical care unit to open early at Royal Preston Hospital

Around £19m has been invested to significantly expand the existing Critical Care Unit, providing much needed new bed capacity and a more modern environment for staff and patients.

Trust bosses said although the project was planned long before Covid-19, a recent injection of additional Government funding has enabled the work to be completed several months ahead of schedule which will assist in the fight against coronavirus.

Public donations of £82,000 will also fund a wide variety of additional items including reclining chairs and pull out beds for visitors; artwork; specialist exercise equipment to help patients with their recovery and furniture for counselling rooms within the unit.

The extension will also feature new kitchen area and family room, which will temporarily be used by staff during the pandemic.

Karen Partington, chief executive at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am absolutely delighted and touched that our local businesses and community have raised such an astonishing amount of money for their local NHS in such a short period of time. This £82,000 will fund all the additional extras and home comforts within the Critical Care Unit that make such a tangible difference to patients and their families at a very difficult time in their lives, as well as greatly enhancing the working environment for our staff.

“I would like to thank every single person and company who has shown their support - in particular the Bhailok family for their contribution.”