New cardiac care ward opens at RVI following Tolent refurbishment

A new purpose built facility for patients with heart conditions has opened its doors at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.

The £2.5 million acute cardiac care unit has been delivered by Gateshead-based contractor Tolent, which completed works back in March.

The renovations included the merging of two existing wards which were redesigned by P+HS Architects to support a new model of care.

Dr Ifti Haq, consultant cardiologist and head of cardiology at the RVI, said: “This is an extremely positive step towards providing our patients with greater streamlined care.

“The new layout of our acute cardiac unit means that we can offer heart patients significantly enhanced care and importantly, in the right place at the right time.”

The new unit has three distinct treatment zones including: a new four-bay cardiac day unit, a brand new coronary care unit with six cubicles for patients who need high dependency care and a 17-bedded ward for patients who need to stay in hospital for specialist care.

Working closely with the Newcastle Hospitals Trusts estates team, Tolent completed the renovations in 25 weeks.

David Thompson, regional director for Tolent, said: “It was a pleasure to work with the Estates Team again on our fourth successful refurbishment project at the RVI and Freeman hospitals in the last 12 months.

“Our team on site demonstrated once again their ability in delivering a much-needed care facility whilst working in a live hospital environment, during a global pandemic, to exceptional quality and in the time frame that the Trust needed. Well done to all involved.”

Dr Haq added: “We’d like to thank everyone involved who have done a fantastic job getting our new facility delivered to their usual, highly exacting standards.

“Our specialist cardiac teams are delighted with their new environment and purpose built space which will enable them to continue to provide outstanding care to their patients.”

Tolent is currently on site in the Newbiggin area of Newcastle building a new medical centre worth £2.5 million for client Assura.

The team also recently marked one year since delivering the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Sunderland.