SWANAGE Hospital has undergone an extensive refurbishment, created a new carpark, garden area amd rooms.

Thanks to £1.2m funding from the Friends of Swanage Hospital, the Dorset HealthCare-run site now has a car park with electrical charging points, a garden area and a brand-new set of rooms.

Accessible by lift from the ward area, the new therapeutic patient garden provides a beautiful outdoor space for patients and their visitors, as well as staff. It also includes a summer house, so people can enjoy the setting whatever the weather.

The garden is currently maintained by a volunteer, but it is hoped that a patient group may take on responsibility for the area.

Inside the hospital, unused space has been converted into two new storage areas, as well as a conference room and a rest area for staff to enjoy an uninterrupted break.

There is also en-suite accommodation for relatives or carers staying with patients who are receiving end-of-life care.

In addition, the Friends’ donation has funded a refurbished activity/dining room, kitchen area and a new patient lounge leading to an outside “living wall” – a covering of artificial plants which provides sensory stimulation and a relaxing atmosphere.

The work was one of the final projects overseen by hospital matron Donna Kiss.

She said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the Friends for this fantastic investment. These improvements have made a huge difference to the hospital’s working environment and the facilities it can offer.

“Solar panels were also placed on the hospital roof space to help generate energy, so as well as improving the site for our patients, visitors and staff, these changes are good for the environment.”

Jan Turnbull, Friends of Swanage Hospital chair, added: “The Swanage community takes great pride in its wonderful hospital and continually supports the Friends with donations and legacies which, in turn, allows us to fund these major projects.

“We are absolutely delighted with the new rooms and the wonderful garden is a joy to behold.”