Existing ward space has been transformed into the Ridgeway Elective Orthopaedic Unit, which includes a new admissions lounge for people coming in for orthopaedic surgery and a therapy suite to support patients with their recovery. Funded by NHS England, the £1.4 million scheme is the second phase of a programme to reduce waiting times for appointments and surgery, which included the creation of the Outpatient Assessment Centre at South Walks House in Dorchester town centre.
The Ridgeway Unit (Image: Dorset County Hospital) Read more: Dorset County Hospital unveils £77m expansion plans Anita Thomas, Chief Operating Officer at Dorset County Hospital, said: “This funding has allowed us to transform the former Ridgeway Ward and will make such a difference to people waiting for elective orthopaedic surgery. We will be able to reduce waiting times, treat people more quickly and support their recovery, so they spend less time in hospital." The new unit will allow people to be admitted for their orthopaedic surgery more quickly and also enable patients to go home sooner to continue their recovery.
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Dorset County Hospital Nick Savva said: “We have been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to develop the Ridgeway Orthopaedic Elective Unit. "It has been designed to the highest standards and will facilitate world-class levels of care and efficiency." Entrance to the unit (Image: Dorset County Hospital) This is part of the second phase of a £14m project including the ongoing work at South Walks House in Dorchester to create a permanent Outpatient Assessment Centre - freeing up clinical space on the main hospital site offering outpatient clinics, diagnostics and day case procedures.
Read more: Work underway on Dorset County Hospital's new helicopter pad Work is also underway to build a new multi-million-pound hospital helipad. The new facility will replace the old landing pad which was based at ground-level next to the current emergency department. Work is currently underway and due to be completed in 2027.
DCH is currently using the helipad at the Army Reserve Centre on Poundbury Road, just three minutes away, which has a large field with easy access for crews to transfer patients to an ambulance and be taken to the hospital..
