His Royal Highness visited the Trust’s Acute Stroke Unit,
meeting staff and patients.  He was greeted by Debbie
Hindmarsh, Ward Manager and Dr Nikhil Majmudar (pictured right)

The new unit provides much improved facilities for patients who have suffered a stroke with dedicated and trained stroke nurses and therapy staff, who provide care and therapy within the ward area.  In addition there is a very successful Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team which has received national recognition from the Stroke Association for being the ‘most improved Community Stroke Team in the country’.   The team has made huge strides in supporting stroke survivors in the community.  

His Royal Highness then visited the Trust’s Integrated Critical Care Unit which is one of the most advanced units in the country.  Staff, patients and relatives had a major input to the design of the 18 single room department, and its development focused particularly on infection control/hygiene, risk management and the privacy and dignity of users.

Reflecting the priority of the highest standards of infection control and a clean
patient environment, specially designed dirty water disposal sinks have been developed by the Trust’s consultant microbiologist Roland Koerner. Each room in the department also includes unique clinical waste bins on the back walls, also specially designed by staff, which enables material to be emptied directly from the ICCU rooms to the external corridor, thus reducing the risk of infection to patients.   Special panoramic glass surrounding each room, which can be screened off for privacy at the flick of a switch, gives staff the best possible view of patients from the central ICCU staff corridor.   

His Royal Highness had the opportunity to view a group of staff receiving training on the specialist training mannequin which was funded by donations from grateful patients and families.  

“This is one of the most carefully designed intensive care units in the country”, says Unit Manager Dave McNicholas. “We are extremely proud of our new facilities and the service we are able to provide.  It gives patients and their families the reassurance that they are receiving the best possible treatment in the most modern of settings, with the latest equipment and the most highly trained staff.”

His Royal Highness then unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Ken Bremner, Chief Executive of City Hospitals Sunderland, said “I am delighted that His Royal Highness has taken time out of a very busy schedule to officially open our new Jubilee Wing.  I am very proud of this development and the staff that work within it to ensure the people of Sunderland receive the very best care and treatment.”