Hopes Ruthin Hospital suite will help people access care closer to home

The purpose-built unit, completed as part of the £3m redevelopment of the hospital, will provide space for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry colleagues.

Contractor Read Construction is now hard at work on a new purpose-designed extension to house GP services at the hospital site.

Construction work is ongoing to the extension where the GP practice will be based.

As part of the plan, the GP Surgery at The Clinic, Ruthin will move from its existing premises on Mount Street once construction work is complete in the months to come.

Since starting in June, work on site has also seen dedicated parking spaces developed at the hospital, helping reduce the parking burden, which had been a challenge on site.

Rachel Langford, Head of Physiotherapy for Central Area, said: “The new therapies unit gives us a new, modern, light and bright department, which will allow us to better provide services to the local community.

“From a physiotherapy point of view, we will be providing services and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, pelvic health, neurology and paediatrics.

A look inside the new facilities. PIC: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

“We have a new gym area where we are able to bring ward patients for rehabilitation, and the new office arrangements mean we are co-located with our Occupational Therapy colleagues to allow closer joint working for patients on the ward at Ruthin.

“Currently due to COVID we are offering telephone, virtual and, where needed, face to face appointments, but in the future we hope to be able to offer group based sessions in the new gym space.”

Upcoming work will see the hospital’s League of Friends move to a central location at the front of the hospital, and dedicated space developed for third sector services, and activities such as mother and toddler groups.

Gareth Evans, Project Director for the redevelopment, said: “It’s great to see work progress despite the extra challenges of social distancing and disruption from COVID-19.

“There’s been great collaboration between the project team, our contractor, and the staff who will be using these new facilities to make progress over the last few months.

“The therapies suite is a really impressive development and will bring much-needed resources to help people living in this area access care and treatment closer to home.”

Safe working practices are in place on site to support social distancing, keeping construction workers, staff and patients at the hospital, and the general public safe.

Alex Read, Director from Read Construction, said: “We’re delighted to have handed over the top of the range, modern health facilities which will no doubt benefit the local community. Work is now full steam ahead to complete the next phase of work.”

The project supports the integration of community and primary care teams and co-location of teams and services, helping bring hospital services closer to people’s homes.