A new ward block has opened at Northwick Park Hospital providing 63 new beds.

The unit, which was handed over in January, includes three wards which are named Crick Ward, Darwin Ward and Elgar Ward.

Jacqueline Docherty, chief executive of London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “The opening of these wards represents a major investment the future of Northwick Park and will help improve the care and experience of patients in hospital.

“The Crick Ward Assessment Unit and Darwin Ward Short Stay Unit will help to improve patient flow through hospital by speeding-up the time it takes to move patients from A&E admission to a ward bed and then safe discharge.

“Elgar Ward replaces an infectious diseases unit that was over 40 years old. Its 15 single rooms all have en-suite facilities and individual temperature control for the comfort of patients. The rooms also have their own negative pressure units to stop air flowing from the room so preventing cross infection.

“In addition Elgar Ward provides an Infectious Diseases Assessment Room for the care of outpatients.”