Patients on the waiting list for rehabilitation care at Maitland Private Hospital have received an early Christmas present.
The hospital officially opened its new 44-bed rehabilitation ward this week, and the 13 patients who had previously been on the waiting list were there to celebrate the occasion after moving in last month.
The Chisholm Ward, which is named after famous Maitland resident and humanitarian Caroline Chisholm, is almost double the size of the Healthe Care facility’s previous rehabilitation ward (24 beds).
Maitland Private Hospital chief executive Brett Dennett said the area’s growing population meant there was an increased demand for health services.
“We went from 24 patients to 37 and anyone who was on the waiting list, we brought in,” Mr Dennett said.
“Obviously there was no question that there was sufficient demand to build the ward.”
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With 37 inpatients, the ward is currently operating at full capacity. A further seven beds will soon become available after the finishing touches are complete.
Local resident Wayne Moffram has been a regular patient at the hospital after he suffered a major stroke four years ago.
He was one of the first patients to take advantage of the new facilities.
Mr Moffram said better access to television controls and light switches in the rooms were among the best practical improvements he had noticed in the new ward.
Construction of the facility cost more than $13 million and took about 12 months to complete.
