A new 20-bed ward is to be opened at Hull Royal Infirmary next month for patients with acute heart problems.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) will open Ward 39 to treat patients admitted to hospital with cardiac conditions including heart failure.

The new purpose-built ward, situated behind the tower block next to the Emergency Department (ED), will support services currently provided in the Cardiology Department at Castle Hill Hospital.

While patients suffering heart attacks or cardiac arrest and those requiring surgical intervention like stents or pacemakers will still be admitted directly to the Cardiology Department, Ward 39 will admit patients arriving in Hull’s ED who require monitoring, assessment and medication.

Chief Operating Officer Ellen Ryabov said: “Having a specialist base at each hospital to help assess and treat patients with heart problems means they will be seen by dedicated specialist cardiology teams at a much earlier stage in their patient journey.

“Those in need of emergency cardiac care including surgery and intensive care will continue to go to Cardiology and be treated by specialist staff on Wards 26 and 28 at Castle Hill.

“However, those who require assessment or stabilizing will now go to our new ward under the care of specialist cardiology nurses and cardiologists instead of being transferred by ambulance across the city to Castle Hill.

“We know patients who are seen by the correct specialist team who can assess and treat their condition as soon as possible have much shorter stays in hospital and therefore this new ward will ensure that all patients have a much better experience during their time with us and get home much faster.”

Additional cardiology nurses and consultants have been recruited along with Advanced Clinical Practitioners to work on Ward 39, which will be fully equipped with specialist ECG bedside monitoring. The heart failure nurses will provide additional support to the ward.

The new ward is expected to start accepting patients before the end of the year, with a Same Day Emergency Care unit opened within the ward next year to help patients who do not require an overnight stay in hospitals.