Queen’s Hospital has been boosted by the opening of a new £7.5m Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU), which will be crucial in helping us manage critical care demand. In recognition of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne this year, it is named the Jubilee ITU.

At its official opening on Tuesday 15 February, we were joined by MP for Romford Andrew Rosindell, Havering Council’s Leader Damian White, Health Scrutiny Chair Councillor Nisha Patel and Health and Wellbeing Board Chair Councillor Jason Frost, who saw how we’ve transformed an area previously used for storage into a modern state-of-the-art facility.

Our Chair Jacqui Smith and Chief Medical Officer Magda Smith were delighted to showcase the impressive ITU and explained how it will help us cope with pressures during peak times, ensuring our sickest patients get the care they need, in the best possible environment.

Andrew Rosindell, who cut the ribbon to declare it open, said: “I was delighted to be asked to open the Jubilee ITU. It’s incredible to see such a new, modern facility providing the extra capacity needed for patient care.

“Thank you for the work you do and the service you provide to our community. I’m very proud to have Queen’s Hospital in my constituency.”

Key features of the purpose built ITU include the addition of 15 beds, with flexibility to increase to 25 beds during busy winter months, and bright and airy lighting which provides a peaceful environment for our staff and patients to help aid their recovery.

Watch the moment Andrew Rosindell cut the ribbon

Our Chair Jacqui Smith said: “Our new Jubilee ITU will help us treat our sickest patients in a state-of-the-art environment. It will also play a key role as we continue to reduce surgical waiting lists as the increase in beds provides flexibility to treat people who have been waiting for operations faster.

“I’d like to thank the many teams and contractors who have worked tirelessly alongside us to open the facility, so that we can provide the very best care.”

Ingleton Wood, a Billericay-based property and construction consultancy, provided architectural, mechanical and electrical, and project management services. Partner Paul Cavalier said: “We were pleased to support the Jubilee ITU which will save more lives and provide patients with cutting-edge equipment in a modern environment for generations to come.

“We worked hand-in-hand with BHRUT to design and deliver the project with care and put the communities across Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge in the best possible position to cope with healthcare needs.”

The Jubilee ITU is part of an £11.5m investment to upgrade and expand our critical care departments; £4m is being spent at King George Hospital, with construction works due to finish by the end of March.

Pictured above are Havering Council’s Leader Damian White, Health Scrutiny Chair Councillor Nisha Patel, MP Andrew Rosindell cutting the ribbon, our Chair, Jacqui Smith, and Health and Wellbeing Board Chair Councillor Jason Frost.