ALL wards at Broomfield Hospital now have names thanks to the help of over 2,500 local people.

The eight wards, that are currently only known by a number, have been named after mid Essex villages that were voted for by local people and Hospital staff via an online vote.

The other wards and departments that have a specific function will use that name - such as Intensive Care Unit - and where a ward already had a name, such as Stock and Billericay Ward, that will be used.

This is part of the improvements that are being made to the way finding system at the hospital.

Chief executive of Mid Essex Hospitals Malcolm Stamp explains: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the voting process to help select names for our wards.

“We know that there have been some issues with the way finding at Broomfield Hospital since we opened the new wing in November 2010, so we have been working hard to make some improvements and naming the wards is part of this process.”

The new ward names and numbers will come into use in late July when new signage will also be introduced. This will include the name of each ward/inpatient area along with its new number which will be the destination number from the way finding system.

The new ward names are:

Ward name Current ward no. New ward no.

Danbury ward A3.1 A302

Heybridge ward A3.2 A303

Rayne ward A3.3 A304

Terling ward A3.4 A305

Felsted ward A2.3 A207

Baddow ward C2.1 C250

Braxted ward C2.2 C251

Goldhanger ward E2.3 E222

A new pocket guide will be available to help patients and visitors locate the wards at departments at the hospital.

Mr Stamp continues; “Whilst we make the improvements to our signage unfortunately it will mean some disruption for our patients and visitors, for which I apologise in advance.

“We will ensure this disruption is kept to a minimum as we anticipate the work only taking two to three weeks to complete and most of it will take place at weekends and in the evenings.”