Paralympic champion Aaron Phipps opens new state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre in Southampton
Paralympic gold medallist Aaron Phipps had the honour of officially opening the West Wing of the new South of England Rehabilitation Centre (SERC) at Western Community Hospital on Wednesday 26 February, marking the final chapter in the two-year project to create the state-of-the-art facility.
Run by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the West Wing houses two new specialist rehabilitation wards, Conan Doyle and Keats, named after the famous literary figures with links to Hampshire. These new wards join Kite and Snowdon wards at the hospital, bringing together rehabilitation care to people living in and around the area, all under one roof.
Unveiling a plaque and cutting the ribbon to officially open the West Wing, Aaron said: “I’ve been completely blown away, mainly by people’s passion for the building you can see it almost has this heartbeat and it comes alive when you walk round. For someone who went through rehabilitation it has been an emotional afternoon seeing the excellent facilities.
“Every detail has been taken into consideration, from the ward layout for staff and patients, the availability and location of equipment and the ethos around the way the building works for them they have here. Well done to the Trust, the design team, the architects, the staff and the patients for making this work so brilliantly – and for bringing this building to life.”
The new wards have been built over the last two years by Brymor Southern Construction, creating two 25-bed wards over two floors with double the amount of single en-suite rooms that were previously available. Both wards boast a range of improved facilities, including a larger gymnasium, a courtyard and terrace for accessible outside space and an Assisted Daily Living (ADL) suite; a joined kitchen and bedroom/bathroom that is designed with features patients would have at home and can be used to prepare patients for leaving hospital by practicing daily activities.
Two patients, Carlene Allen, 34, from Southampton, and Mabel Knowles, 101, from Sholing, helped mark the occasion by cutting a commemorative cake and sharing their experiences of care at the centre.
Carlene Allen, 34 and from Southampton, has been receiving rehabilitation care for three weeks. She said: “After a year of being in and out of the spinal unit with physio at home, I came to Keats wards for intensive rehabilitation. I have done so much here in the last three weeks, with continuous physiotherapy sessions in a safe environment.
“I feel like they have tailormade my treatment and are “on my side” to help me recover. They don’t just look after me physically, but also emotionally and support me if I need to talk to someone about what I am going through.
“The hoist from the ceiling in my room helps me develop my independence with my personal care and gives me hope to regain my confidence with my mobility. They have a great therapy room where I have been able to develop my muscles, and I feel confident I have their support to help my recovery remain safe and sustainable. They are helping me regain a level of independence to prepare me to be able to manage at home.”
Mabel Knowles, 101 and from Sholing, said: “I was so excited to be part of the opening. All the staff have looked after me and are supporting me with physio to get home after I had a fall - they will do anything for me - and the ward is very bright and welcoming.”
Dr Dan Baylis, Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Rehabilitation is key for people who have often had a life-changing event, it puts the quality into a life saved. The new South of England Rehabilitation Centre is a wonderful development for the people of Southampton and surrounding areas. It provides the latest in design, creating an environment that enables us to deliver specialist care that helps people regain their independence and achieve the best possible quality of life.”
