Southampton MPs visit new rehabilitation centre

Solent NHS Trust has been welcoming visitors for site tours at its new, state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre, currently under construction at the Western Community Hospital, including local MPs Royston Smith and Alan Whitehead.

The £21 million modern, purpose-built unit will replace two existing rehabilitation wards currently at the Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton. The re-location of these wards means that the Western Community Hospital will become a centre of excellence for rehabilitation services with a range of specialist care available on one site, which will be known as the South of England Rehabilitation Centre (SERC).

The two new wards will also increase the number of beds available from 43 to 50, and will more than double the number of single rooms with en-suite facilities. The extra beds and improved facilities will mean Solent staff can treat more people, closer to home. It will help to reduce the amount of time people stay in hospital, freeing up much needed beds and helping to reduce the backlog of patients awaiting treatment.

Royston Smith MP said: “I am delighted to see the progress made on the building of the rehabilitation centre at the Western Community Hospital. The level of thought that has gone into the design and planning of this new centre is incredible, and I am sure when completed, the new facilities will greatly enhance the fantastic care already offered by the Solent NHS Trust nursing teams. It is a building that will deliver for the demands of a modern NHS, and I am certain patients will reap the benefits of innovative rehabilitation spaces and ensuite rooms providing dignity and clever design to assist with patient recovery.”

Alan Whitehead MP said: “It was fantastic to visit what will become the new rehabilitation building at Western Community Hospital. Speaking to those working on the project it is clear that this new building will provide patients with world class rehabilitation facilities and I am looking forward to seeing it progress. I am proud that we will have this dedicated rehabilitation wing here in Southampton which will no doubt improve patient outcomes.”