The ground floor of the Beauchamp Centre has been totally transformed from office space into a large clinical space occupied by the Orthotic and Podiatry services. Both services have relocated from the Local Care Centre to make way for works to commence to provide space for Plym Neuro Rehab Unit to move into.
The major alterations include a new separate patient entrance with automated doors and a large airy waiting room that can accommodate more people including those who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The glass fronted reception and office space is shared by admin and clinical support staff from both services. A separate hatch provides access to the orthotics collection point where products can be dropped off for repair and items can be collected. Adjoining this is a spacious footwear/orthotics storage room in addition to two large walk in store rooms complete with floor to ceiling racking to make the most of the space and ensure effective stock rotation.
There are 15 clinical treatment rooms to undertake 100 to 170 appointments each day. Several of the rooms are larger to be able to house equipment used by the musculoskeletal podiatrists e.g. shockwave therapy machine and treadmill and also for clinicians to observe peoples’ gait as part of their treatment. Some of the rooms are separated by sliding doors to support the safe training and
development of service staff and undergraduate students.
The building has been extended to provide a workshop for the bespoke manufacturing and adjustment of orthotics, offloading devices and footwear. The conjoining rooms provide space for the technicians to work and safe space for the specialist equipment and extraction requirements.
There are new staff changing rooms, a rest break area with kitchenette, lockers and a small meeting room. There has been a major clear up outside to allow access to the terraces to the south of the building, smarten up the pathway access that leads to the new patient drop off points, car parking spaces and disabled car parking spaces.
There have been improvements to the building safety and security and landscaping which include swipe card staff access, an intruder alarm, separate fire panel, CCTV and new lighting particularly along a new path to the patient parking spaces. A lockable bin store to house household and clinical waste has been built to the side of the building and the entrance to the laundry and its associated drop off zone have been moved and repainted. The bike storage areas on this part of the site are also due to revamped.
Patient care from both services will continue to be provided safely from clean, spacious and comfortable surroundings where staff have access to the right equipment and environment to be able to ensure the quality of the care provided achieves the best outcomes for everyone involved.