A NEW intensive care unit has been unveiled at a North-East hospital.

The unit, in Darlington Memorial Hospital, has space for up to eight patients, whereas the old unit could only take five.

Four of the beds are in single isolation rooms, which helps to control the spread of infection.

The first-floor unit, which now has some of the most modern facilities in the region, is located next to the existing high dependency unit and close to operating theatres.

The new development means that hospital bosses can provide a combined capacity of up to 14 critical care beds (intensive care and high dependency beds).

Dr Richard Hixson, consultant anaesthetist at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a modern intensive care unit, built to a high specification which helps us to give the best of care to our most dependent patients.

“It will also be a much better working environment for staff – it is roomier, we have a seminar room for training purposes and it is a much more pleasant environment.

The old unit did not have any windows.

“A better environment for our staff also means a more therapeutic environment for our patients – which is what this new unit is all about.”

The improvements at Darlington are part of long-term changes to hospital care in County Durham which has seen the downgrading of Bishop Auckland Hospital and the concentration of more acute medical and surgical services at Darlington hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

Ten years ago, Darlington hospital had four intensive care beds, which had to serve as high dependency beds as well.

The new unit is much more user-friendly for staff, and includes a fully-integrated monitoring system to provide clinical information at each bedside.

A new design means that support services are provided from the head of the bed, making it easier for staff to attend to the needs of patients.

Intensive care facilities at the County Durham trust have been hard pressed in recent weeks because of an increase in the number of seriously ill flu patients.

Dr Hixson said: “We have been very busy but we have coped with the extra pressure amazingly well.”

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman, who was given a tour of the new unit yesterday, said the facilities were very impressive.