Rishi visited the inpatient ward at the Friary Hospital in Richmond as it reopened to patients again following extensive refurbishment.
Rishi visited the Victoria Ward to see the much-improved environment and talk to nurses, therapists healthcare assistants and other staff.
He said: “It is wonderful to see the Victoria ward open again after completion of the repair work. I applaud the fact that the temporary closure turned into an opportunity to bring about very welcome improvements to the ward. Patients will have a better experience as a result and the ward staff are also happy to have an improved working environment.”
Last year, problems with low internal water flow at the hospital affected patients’ washing and bathing facilities, meant the ward had to temporarily stop admitting inpatients.
Since then, the building’s landlord, with the support of NHS Property Services, has been carrying out work to fix the internal water pressure problems and using the opportunity to make extensive refurbishments to the ward alongside works to other parts of the building.
Dr James Dunbar, Clinical Collaborative Chair at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted that the Friary Hospital’s Victoria Ward is once again welcoming inpatients following the completion of necessary work by the building’s landlord, with the support of NHS Property Services.
“My clinical colleagues are thrilled to be providing care once again from the ward and its fantastic new environment.
