New pioneer ward opens at Rochdale Infirmary

Finley Gorringe and Kelly McDaid, Quality Matron

A new 14-bed surgical ward has opened at Rochdale Infirmary and has treated its first patients.

The Pioneer Ward has been set up to help patients recover from short and overnight surgery, including cancer.

The first patients treated on the ward were Finley Gorringe and Lorraine Jae, who were both presented with a luxury hamper of fruit.

Patients from a number of specialities will be treated on the ward including gynaecology, urology, orthopaedic, breast, oral, maxillofacial, vascular, and general surgery.

Steve Taylor, Chief Officer, Rochdale Care Organisation said: “This is a great development for Rochdale and compliments the fabulous work our teams already do here.”

The ward provides support for weekend activity across Greater Manchester and care for patients from across the Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust’s footprint in Salford, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale, as well as for patients from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

It is open seven days a week and staffed by colleagues from the day surgery team with medical and nursing students also working on the ward.