St-Peters-Hospital-min-scaled-e1617299512695

A specialist Newport hospital has considerably increased its capacity with an additional 12 beds, thanks to a significant investment.

St Peter’s Hospital in Langstone, which is owned and run by specialist healthcare provider, Ludlow Street Healthcare, is a person-centred assessment, treatment and care centre for men and women with degenerative neuropsychiatric conditions and Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI).

The hospital now offers 51 beds across single-gender units, which provide specialist treatment and nursing care that focuses on delivering positive outcomes for patients and their families.

The bespoke design of St Peter’s incorporates many dementia and ABI friendly features, and the hospital has worked closely with The University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre, to create an environment that is not only innovative and therapeutic but also encourages patient proactivity.

St Peter’s is proud of the multi-disciplinary team it has brought together onsite including psychologists, psychiatrists and an extensive group of therapists including dietetics, physiotherapy and speech and language specialists. Key to the hospital’s success with the patients it treats is its ability to offer a more therapy-based model of care and reduce patients’ need for a primarily drug-based pharmacological approach.

Dr Grzegorz Grzegorzak, Consultant Psychiatrist at St Peter’s Hospital, said: “Caring for and treating people with degenerative neuropsychiatric conditions and ABI is a very specialist area which requires expert knowledge and a lot of time. There is an urgent need in Wales and the UK as a whole for more specialist facilities like ours. Extending our facilities allows us to give immediate help to more people, delivering more positive outcomes.”

Work began on developing the hospital’s facilities in late 2019 and despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the extension has been completed on schedule. As well as delivering an extra 12 ensuite rooms, a new family room and modern communal area have been created.

Helen Rocker, Hospital Director at St Peter’s Hospital, said: “This is an exciting development for St Peter’s and we are looking forward to welcoming new patients to the hospital.

“With all of our staff and patients who are able to receive the vaccine having been vaccinated, this couldn’t be a better time to be opening the new facility.

“The last year has been very challenging and the staff have been exemplary throughout in their unswerving commitment to ensuring the highest standards of virus control. So, it’s gratifying to be finally able to look forward and focus on new opportunities to develop our patient services.

“In order to support our additional patients, we will need to increase our staff numbers and we are actively recruiting for RMH and RGN Nurses as well as support workers. We have just raised our nursing salaries by nearly 6.5% and are confident that we currently offer some of the most rewarding career opportunities for nurses in South Wales.  Anyone interested in the roles we have to offer is invited to visit www.lshealthcare.co.uk/careers.”

Set up in 2005 by healthcare specialists, Ludlow Street Healthcare provides transition-focused healthcare and bespoke step-down services, including specialist assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and education, throughout Wales and the South West of England. The organisation has developed a reputation for its person-centred approach, community-focused settings and specialist staff.

Since its inception, Ludlow Street Healthcare has supported and cared for over 800 people. For over a decade, it has worked in partnership with the NHS, developing services and investing in the necessary health infrastructure and staff training, to support patients on their journey to recovery and a more independent and fulfilling life, through step-down to community living, which improved social integration and inclusion.