Wansbeck General Hospital is situated just off the A197, on the outskirts of Ashington, Northumberland. Opened in June 1993, the completion of phase 2 ten years later has seen the transfer of the remaining services from the old Ashington hospital to the new modern environment; giving improved services and facilities for patients and visitors.
The hospital employs around 2,000 staff and deals with some 24,000 inpatients, 21,000 outpatients, 14,000 day cases and 36,000 emergency attendees each year. It was one of two "low energy" hospitals built in the UK under a department of health pilot scheme and won a: green building of the year award in l993 and a: building better healthcare award in 2003 for phase 2.
The hospital has 15 wards and 384 beds for specialities such as, general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, day surgery, maternity & gynaecology, cardiology cath laboratory, outpatients and therapies. One of two additional new theatre suites is equipped with a voice activated computer that enables surgeons to give commands to camera equipment whilst carrying out keyhole surgery.
There are some pleasant court yards and a magnificent lake within the hospital complete with famous totem pole! Art abounds throughout the hospital and there is an entertainment and communications system at bedsides. The hospital has a main restaurant for meals and two coffee shops, offering a range of sandwiches and refreshments for visitors.
Chaplains representing different faiths are available and may be contacted via the hospital switchboard at any time. A modern Chapel is located on the ground floor and is available for people of all faiths and none.
