AN £8.1M extension to house a range of vital services has been officially opened at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
It will provide the hospital's first renal dialysis and out-patient service, the first cardiac catheterisation laboratory for heart patients, a spacious unit bringing together ear, nose and throat, audiology and a urology assessment unit.
The involvement of patients has been an important part of the design project, with their representatives on the project team.
Twenty patients also attended an evening to learn about plans for the new development and to give their views.
They particularly felt that having several specialist services in one place would be of real benefit.
The renal dialysis and out-patient facility is provided in Chester on one site for the first time.
The renal unit is managed by a team of medical and specialist nursing staff and includes a 17-station haemodialysis unit, home dialysis therapies and a renal outpatients service.
The facility will allow patients to have more of their clinical needs cared for at a single visit.
The cardiac catheterisation laboratory means that angiography - a diagnostic technique for coronary artery disease - will be carried out in partnership between North East Wales Trust and the Countess.
This means patients will no longer have to travel to Liverpool or the Wirral for cardiac procedures.
The ear, nose and throat, audiology and children's audiology is provided within a spacious and modern environment. More clinical procedures can be managed on an out-patient basis, reducing waiting times.
Funding for the new building has come from specialised commissioning in England and Wales, the New Opportunity Fund, the Department of Health and the Foundation Trust itself.
