NEW REHABILITATION SERVICE FOR WAKEFIELD PATIENTS

A new 28 bed rehabilitation unit was recently officially opened by the Mayoress of Wakefield, Councillor Heather Hudson, at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Kingsdale Unit provides care for Wakefield district patients who need rehabilitation after hospital treatment. Without the new unit these patients would have to stay in hospital longer until they were fit enough to return home. This fantastic new facility is being commissioned by NHS Wakefield District and provided by Bupa at West Ridings Residential and Nursing Home in Lofthouse, Wakefield. James Harwood, Head of Commissioning (Out of Hospital Care), NHS Wakefield District, said: “The opening of the Kingsdale Unit is part of our two year £4m investment into intermediate services. Last year, the PCT opened a 25-bedded rehabilitation unit, the Bevan Unit, at Pontefract General Infirmary which has proved extremely successful and we wanted to extend this type of service to Wakefield patients. The Kingsdale unit is for people who have been discharged from hospital but required extra support and rehabilitation before they are fit enough to go home. We are delighted that patients in the Wakefield area can now have access to rehabilitation closer to their homes and without having to stay in hospital.” Susan Hustwick, manager of Bupa’s West Ridings Residential and Nursing Home, said: “The event was a great success and something that we hoped everyone, including our residents enjoyed. It was a real opportunity to showcase the facilities of the new rehabilitation unit and home and provide an entertaining afternoon for everyone.”