Child and adult patients are now settled in to the new Children’s Hospital, and the West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital, thanks to the hard work of staff and other colleagues over the past weekend.
On Saturday, South Central Ambulance Service staff helped doctors and nurses to move 22 ophthalmology, plastics and neurology patients, and the RAF assisted staff to move four neuro-intensive care patients from the Radcliffe Infirmary to the new wards in the West Wing. At the same time, doctors and nurses moved 40 children from the paediatric wards in the main John Radcliffe building into the Children’s Hospital, using trolleys and wheelchairs.
This week (14 January) the Trust will be completing the relocation from the Radcliffe Infirmary by moving the final pieces of medical and office equipment. The Children’s Hospital and the West Wing will be officially ‘open for business’ from Monday 22 January. A day of celebration to mark the closure of the Radcliffe Infirmary is planned for 27 January.
Vickie Holcroft, Director of PFI Projects for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, who has been supervising the relocation, said:
“We have been planning the move into the Children’s Hospital and the West Wing at the John Radcliffe for over two years. We started moving offices and back-room services in December. Saturday and Sunday were, however, the most important and the most difficult days, as we had to transport a large number of sick children and adults to the new facilities. Thanks to the hard work of our staff, and colleagues in other organisations who supported us, this all went smoothly and all the patients are now settled into the new wards.
I would like to thank particularly the South Central Ambulance Service (formerly Oxfordshire Ambulance Service) who moved most of our patients from the Radcliffe Infirmary with great skill and efficiency, and our RAF colleagues, who organised transport for the intensive care patients. Our own staff must also take credit for all of the hard work which they put in during the weekend, as well as over the past few weeks, as they have been organising the move, as well as continuing to run services for patients.
Everyone knows how difficult it is to move house. When we first started planning the move from the Radcliffe Infirmary and the paediatric wards at the John Radcliffe, it seemed a near impossible task. Through excellent team work, and the expertise and commitment of staff and colleagues, we have managed to achieve this most difficult part of the move without undue difficulties.”
Notes:
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Media event: The Children’s Hospital and West Wing will be officially ‘open for business’ on 22 January. Chief Executive Trevor Campbell Davis will be visiting staff and patients in the new wards and departments, to ensure that all is going well. Media welcome. Please meet at 10.55am at the West Wing reception desk.
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Oxford GU Medicine (also known as the Harrison Department) will move from the Radcliffe Infirmary to new premises at the Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington on Wednesday 24 January 2007. The clinic provides free and confidential advice and treatment on a range of sexual health needs, including contraception and pregnancy testing to HIV and STD testing and free condoms. The new clinic number will be 01865 231 231. Anyone can contact the clinic, a GP referral is not required. Open 8:30am – 6pm, Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm on Fridays.
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A celebration of the life of the Radcliffe Infirmary is the theme of two special events to be held on Saturday 27 January 2007 to commemorate over 237 years of healthcare. Both events will be attended by hospital staff, past and present and other colleagues who have been associated with the hospital over the years. The daytime event will be the official launch of a souvenir book called ‘The Radcliffe Infirmary’ followed by a final service in the chapel, afternoon tea and a display of memorabilia from the hospital. The media are welcome to attend from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Further details will be released soon. The evening event will be a party in the front quad, with a live band and disco.
Contact: Media & Communications
Contact Details: 01865 228932