A NEW ward for people having surgery has opened at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

The Ridgeway Elective Orthopaedic Unit, complete with new admissions lounge for people coming in for orthopaedic surgery and a therapy suite to support patients with their recovery, has been created from existing ward space.

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 new Ridgeway Elective Orthopaedic Unit. Picture: DCH

Anita Thomas, chief operating officer at DCH, 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.”

READ MORE: New £14m outpatient centre opens in Dorchester

The new unit aims to 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 DCH, 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.”