New palliative care unit nears completion

A five-bed palliative care unit, funded by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's own charity, is due to open in the Autumn.

It would mean patients, who are not going to get better, would not die on a busy hospital ward where side rooms aren't always available.

Consultant nurse, Emma Clark, said the facility, called The Peddars Way End of Life Unit, would make a huge difference.

"Each room is quite large, it's en-suite and there's space for relatives to be here all the time," she said.

At the moment, people who are dying in hospital often don't have a side room and family visits are restricted.

Lead nurse for palliative care, Pamela Chapman, said it was creating a space that feels very different to a busy hospital ward.

"For years we've always wanted a place where loved ones can really treasure those last moments with their person," she added.

She told the BBC she gets emotional thinking about the unit opening in Autumn because of what it would mean to families.

The new unit which has cost a million pounds, was being funded by the hospital's own charity.

Chief executive, Alice Webster, said its efforts were astounding.

"To be able to do something like this is amazing," she said.

"The things that people give us, both in terms of money but also their time. We have over 20,000 hours of volunteering given to us each year."

She said the hospital has been working with local hospice Tapping House on the design of both the building and the staffing.

The Queen Elizabeth hospital was known for having large parts of its main building held up by thousands of props.

The previous government's commitment to rebuild the site by 2030 is now in doubt after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed it would be reconsidered as part of a spending audit.

Follow Norfolk news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830