A HOSPITAL ward caring for elderly patients in Ely that was closed due to staff shortages has begun admitting patients again.

Ely Standard: Pictured (centre) are Tracey Cooper, unit manager, Ely and the Fens, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust; and Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.Pictured (centre) are Tracey Cooper, unit manager, Ely and the Fens, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust; and Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust. (Image: © 2013 Serco [www.sercoasp.com/photo])

Welney Ward at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely, was closed in January because it was understaffed and a recruitment campaign to bring in six new nurses failed.

Four months on, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which runs the ward, said it now has enough staff to re-open the 20-bed rehabilitation and end of life care ward.

The ward has also been refurbished to include the installation of air conditioning in the day room and the fitting of the latest call bell system.

Tracey Cooper, community manager, said: “The safe re-opening of the ward follows a highly successful recruitment campaign, where we’ve recruited to two leadership roles and five registered nurses, to add to the 40 plus strong existing team.”

“The re-opening of the ward is good news for staff, but more importantly is good news for local people.

“Welney ward is a key element of our services for older people and I’m sure will continue to provide high quality services for people in and around Ely long into the future.”