A NEWLY refurbished hospital ward for people with respiratory conditions has finally opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The Osler Respiratory Unit welcomed its first patients on Tuesday after the respiratory team was forced to move several times over the last year as part of the Oxford University Hospital's Covid-19 response.

However, it is now homed in a modern and refurbished area on level five of the Oxford hospital.

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Two wards were completely renovated for this service in order to provide one respiratory unit with 24 beds, including 22 side rooms.

Six of the beds are for patients from High Dependency Units (HDU) and two beds for cystic fibrosis patients.

Helen Disley, deputy matron, revealed that the team is 'very excited' to have found a more permanent home.

She commented: "The dedicated ward will enable us to offer specialist treatment in a purpose-built modern environment with better facilities.

The area has been fully refurbished for the Osler Respiratory Unit

The area has been fully refurbished for the Osler Respiratory Unit

"This is a great step forward for the department because it will improve patient care and provide staff with a more suitable base for the long-term future.

"We are proud of the fantastic respiratory care we give to those who need us, and this brand new area will enable us to improve on this and deliver the best quality of compassionate and excellent care in the future."

Staff on the Osler Respiratory Unit, who have adapted quickly and efficiently over the past year during the pandemic, care for people with various breathing conditions.

These include asthma, interstitial lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis, among many others.

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Sam Foster, chief nursing officer at the trust, praised the team for delivering 'outstanding' care to patients despite the difficulties presented during the Covid-19 crisis.

She said: "They expanded their capacity rapidly and welcomed staff from across our trust to learn new skills and be part of the response required for our patients.

"This exciting new area has been completely transformed, and it will make a really positive difference to our patients.

"I would like to thank colleagues for their understanding, teamwork, and dedication to ensuring the continuation of excellent patient care."