First patients to move into rebuilt hospital

A new courtyard is designed to provide a "calming environment" for patients and their families

The first patients are set to move into three purpose-built wards following four years of redevelopment at a Cumbria hospital.

West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven has undergone a £40m renovation to create a new children and young people's ward, a Care of the Elderly ward and a stroke rehabilitation unit.

From Monday, patients, staff, furniture and equipment will begin the move from old facilities to their new home.

Matron Andrea Hendren said: "I think our patients and their families will be delighted when they see it."

The redevelopment project was hit by an "administrative delay" earlier this year, but it is hoped everyone will be settled on the new wards by the end of the month, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) said.

NCIC Chief Executive Lyn Simpson said the redevelopment would "make a huge difference to our patient experience".

NCIC said all the wards were purpose-built, and designed with staff input

A specialist palliative care unit, the Loweswater Suite, is located on the ground floor with access to a courtyard, to provide a "calming environment for patients and their families", while, the ward for elderly patients features communal spaces to promote and encourage social interaction, the trust said.

A new "stepdown" ward, the Copeland Unit, aims to help people transition from in-patient care to the community - with amenities including a therapy gym to prepare patients for going home after a prolonged stay in hospital.