A NEW medical unit has opened to patients following a £1.5million refurbishment at Croydon University Hospital.
The acute medical unit (AMU) opened at the hospital on Saturday following the investment.
Building for the unit began in June after the old wards were used as the set for the BBC hospital sitcom Getting On.
The new unit will provide specialist care for adult patients with a wide range of medical conditions; treating some of the most acutely ill patients suffering from illnesses like pneumonia and heart problems.
The hope is the unit will reduce A&E waiting times and ensure that patients receive the most appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. The new unit includes six single-sex bays and six en-suite rooms, totalling 42 beds, an assessment area, dedicated treatment area and consulting rooms.
Head matron Johnny Wells, who will oversee the new ward, said: "This is really exciting. The old ward was crying out for a refurbishment and I hope now we've got this done we can move on to refurbishing accident and emergency.
"We have come from something that wasn't great to this; it is a complete transformation. I know I and all the team are really looking forward to working in the new ward."
