Patients in need of intensive medical attention now have state of the art equipment and a bright and airy ward to speed up their recovery at the King Edward VII?s new Intensive Care Unit.

The ICU officially opened yesterday and will accept patients beginning on December 21.

At the official opening ceremony Monday, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Joan Dillas Wright said the ICU is a world-class facility dedicated to achieving the hospital?s goal in excellent patient care.

?This bright, spacious high-tech unit will enhance our hospital?s capacity to meet the needs of patients requiring intensive care,? said Ms Dillas-Wright. ?I am very pleased that we can now provide excellent care for these patients in a first class environment that is comfortable and modern.?

Each room contains internal dialysis units, ceiling mounted movable columns containing additional medical gases, nurse call devices, and electrical and communication devices.

Health Minister Patrice Minors, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann, the Hospital Auxiliary Board, and members of the Kardias Club, who raised $43,000 for the new unit also attended the opening.

Mrs. Minors said the ICU is representative of the BHB?s commitment to excellence in patient care.

?Patients who are in need of critical attention will receive outstanding care in a bright and modern environment and will benefit from fantastic facilities and services that are designed to meet their urgent needs first and foremost,? she said.

With nine new patient rooms expanded to 250 square feet. Large windows in the rooms will help patients to receive natural light, which has found to speed up recovery rates.

Isolation capacity via negative air pressure for patients with infectious disease is also one of the highlights of the new unit as it was not available in the old ICU.

A family lounge is also part of the new ward to provide a quiet relaxation area for visiting friends and family. Director of the ICU Dr. Andrew Spence said the world class doctors and nurses who work in the ICU would also enhance the amenities.

Chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board Dr. Jonathan Brewin said the new unit was made possible by several charitable organisations in the community.

?The BHB is extremely grateful to the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda, Kardias Club of Bermuda, and Windjammer Gallery for their generous donations, and also to our own staff for their patience and commitment throughout the building process.?