A NEW ambulatory care unit has opened at the BMI Beardwood Hospital.

The unit will be used for patients undergoing procedures such as cataract surgery and treatments, which only require a short length of stay.

Instead of needing to check in hours earlier and wait in their room ahead of treatment, patients will be treated sooner and are able to rest at the ambulatory care lounge and enjoy light refreshments before being discharged The Rev Yvonne Pearson, Superintendent Minister at the Blackburn with Darwen Methodist Circuit, and chair of Methodist Action North West Provider Board, opened the unit.

Samantha Sheehan, executive director of BMI Beardwood Hospital, said: “It was great to have Yvonne at the launch of this great new unit.

“The ambulatory care unit will reduce the length of unnecessary patient stays, helping them get home to their loved ones sooner.”

Methodist Action is a charity which offers support, advice and training opportunities for people who are homeless, or living in poverty.

The charity received a donation as an appreciation of thanks from BMI The Beardwood Hospital.